Mr. Ban Ki-moon today was reappointed as the Secretary General of the United Nations.
At the General Assembly meeting, U.S. Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Susan E. Rice said the United States welcomes the Mr. Ban Ki-moon’s reappointment as Secretary-General of the world body.
“No one understands the burdens of this role better than he, and my government is grateful that he is willing to continue to take them on.” – Ms. Rice
According to Ms. Rice, the Secretary-General has navigated turbulent waters with a steady hand for the past four and a half years. She said the world has benefited from the wisdom and experience he has amassed over the course of a long, distinguished, and selfless career of public service.
She said Secretary-General Ban is a leader who listens to the voices of the voiceless-of the refugees sheltered beneath UN tents, of the children vaccinated through UN programs, of the innocent civilians whose lives have been saved by effective UN action.
Ms. Rice elaborated that under the Secretary-General’s leadership, the United Nations has moved to meet the challenges of a new century-one in which we must all work together to find shared solutions to common challenges that pay no heed to borders.
“Secretary-General Ban has been a champion of peace and security, an advocate for development, and a voice for universal human rights.” – Ms. Rice
She noted Mr. Ban has spoken out with compassion for Haiti, for democracy in Cote d’Ivoire, and for the responsibility to protect in Libya. She added he has urged all to confront the common challenge of climate change.
“He has encouraged us to promote truly sustainable development that expands the circle of prosperity. And he has insisted on recognizing that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights are, simply, human rights.” – Ms. Rice
She cited that Mr. Ban has also understood that an institution built in the wake of World War II must renew and reform itself to meet the challenges of a very different world. She further said Mr. Ban has already made important changes, such as hiring more women for senior posts and proposing the deepest reduction in the UN’s budget in more than a decade.
“We are therefore fortunate to have a Secretary-General who has so often spoken of himself as a bridge builder. As Secretary-General Ban again takes up one of the toughest jobs in the world, the United States renews its pledge of friendship and support.” – Ms. Rice