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Ban Ki-Moon Gets Strong Support for Second Term
- By Williams Ekanem
- Published June 13th, 2011
- Washington File
- Unrated
Ban Ki- moon’s reelection bid may as well be a walk over as permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and major Asian countries have expressed support for his second term bid.
U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters last week, “we welcome his announcement that he`ll seek a second term as secretary general,” adding, “Clearly, the U.N. faces an array of daunting challenges. And we`ve worked constructively with Secretary General Ban on many of them.”
China also expressed its official support for Ban’s bid with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei saying, “As an Asian, Ban has served as U.N. secretary general over the past four years and China sends applause to him for his role as secretary general.”
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also said, “(Ban’s announcement of his reelection bid) is very welcoming news,” adding, “We have no doubt that he will show those same qualities during a second term as the head of the U.N. while paying attention to enhancing efficiency of the U.N. system.”
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan also delivered a message of support to Ban.
Other U.N. member countries also backed a second term for Ban. At a breakfast meeting of the Group of Asian countries at the U.N. chaired by Ban the same day, 30 of 53 member countries expressed their support.
Even North Korea backed Ban. North Korea‘s ambassador to the U.N. Sin Son Ho said he actively supports a second term for Ban. When exchanging greetings with Ban, Sin reportedly said, “We strongly support you seeking a second term though we won‘t give a statement of support today.”
Iran’s also said, “Ban’s humility and truthfulness won the hearts and minds of all people.”
After the meeting, the Group of Asian countries conveyed their support for Ban’s second term to the presidents of the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly and the heads of other regional groups.
Earlier last week, while declaring his interest for a second term in a press conference at the United Nations said “This morning, I sent a letter to the membership of the General Assembly and the Security Council, offering, humbly, myself for consideration for a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.”
“it has been an enormous privilege to lead this great Organization. If supported by the Members States, I would be deeply honoured to serve once more.”
Throughout my time in office, I have sought to be a bridge-builder – among the Member States, within the United Nations system and among a rich diversity of global partners. Finding common ground is central to delivering results.
At the press conference at the United Nation’s, the UN scribe said that “Looking back, these four and a half years have marked a period of extraordinary challenge – for the United Nations and the international community. And we can be proud of what we have accomplished together.”
According to him, “We have raised climate change to the top of the global agenda, we have responded quickly and effectively to a series of devastating humanitarian emergencies – in Myanmar , Haiti , Pakistan and elsewhere, we have saved many lives and sown the seeds of peace in Sudan , Somalia , the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Côte d’Ivoire.”
During my visit to both Nigeria and Ethiopia, I was impressed by how effectively the UN system is working as one – alongside governments, NGOs, businesses and foundations to scale-up our work for women and children, in particular, and the Millennium Development Goals in general.
U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters last week, “we welcome his announcement that he`ll seek a second term as secretary general,” adding, “Clearly, the U.N. faces an array of daunting challenges. And we`ve worked constructively with Secretary General Ban on many of them.”
China also expressed its official support for Ban’s bid with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei saying, “As an Asian, Ban has served as U.N. secretary general over the past four years and China sends applause to him for his role as secretary general.”
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also said, “(Ban’s announcement of his reelection bid) is very welcoming news,” adding, “We have no doubt that he will show those same qualities during a second term as the head of the U.N. while paying attention to enhancing efficiency of the U.N. system.”
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan also delivered a message of support to Ban.
Other U.N. member countries also backed a second term for Ban. At a breakfast meeting of the Group of Asian countries at the U.N. chaired by Ban the same day, 30 of 53 member countries expressed their support.
Even North Korea backed Ban. North Korea‘s ambassador to the U.N. Sin Son Ho said he actively supports a second term for Ban. When exchanging greetings with Ban, Sin reportedly said, “We strongly support you seeking a second term though we won‘t give a statement of support today.”
Iran’s also said, “Ban’s humility and truthfulness won the hearts and minds of all people.”
After the meeting, the Group of Asian countries conveyed their support for Ban’s second term to the presidents of the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly and the heads of other regional groups.
Earlier last week, while declaring his interest for a second term in a press conference at the United Nations said “This morning, I sent a letter to the membership of the General Assembly and the Security Council, offering, humbly, myself for consideration for a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.”
“it has been an enormous privilege to lead this great Organization. If supported by the Members States, I would be deeply honoured to serve once more.”
Throughout my time in office, I have sought to be a bridge-builder – among the Member States, within the United Nations system and among a rich diversity of global partners. Finding common ground is central to delivering results.
At the press conference at the United Nation’s, the UN scribe said that “Looking back, these four and a half years have marked a period of extraordinary challenge – for the United Nations and the international community. And we can be proud of what we have accomplished together.”
According to him, “We have raised climate change to the top of the global agenda, we have responded quickly and effectively to a series of devastating humanitarian emergencies – in Myanmar , Haiti , Pakistan and elsewhere, we have saved many lives and sown the seeds of peace in Sudan , Somalia , the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Côte d’Ivoire.”
During my visit to both Nigeria and Ethiopia, I was impressed by how effectively the UN system is working as one – alongside governments, NGOs, businesses and foundations to scale-up our work for women and children, in particular, and the Millennium Development Goals in general.
