New UN Chief Ban Ki-moon sworn in

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-15-2006 08:00

South Korean's Ban Ki-moon has been sworn in as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations. He'll take charge of the UN on January 1, when Kofi Annan steps down after 10 years at the helm.

The former South Korean Foreign Minister will be the first Asian to lead the 192-nation world body in 35 years.

He says his challenges will include expansion of the Security Council, and peace and stability in the Middle East.

But Ban said his first priority would be to restore trust and improve the institution's performance in all areas.

Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general designate, expressed: "Together we can and must do better. Our peoples and our future depend on it. By strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations - security, development and human rights - we can build a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for our succeeding generations. As we pursue our collective endeavor to reach that goal, my first priority will be to restore trust. I will seek to act as a harmoniser and bridge-builder."

Ban Ki-moon will have to oversee an organization with some 92,000 peacekeepers around the world and an annual budget of 5 billion US dollars.

But the outgoing secretary-general said he was confident his successor would serve the institution well.

Kofi Annan said, "I depart convinced that today's United Nations does more, than ever before. It does it better than ever before, yet, our work is far from complete. Indeed, it will never be. It falls to my successor to carry forward the UN's valuable mission. From the contacts I have had with him I already know that you have chosen well. Our organization will be in safe hands."

Meanwhile, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by acclamation paying tribute to Annan.

The entire hall gave Anna a standing ovation, in thanks for his ten years of service.

Editor:Ji Xuewen