Advertisement |
Momentum can only be maintained by trying to find a way out of the current political impasse through realism and a spirit of compromise from both parties
U.N. Western Sahara mission extended May 01, 2008
While a buildup of small arms alone may not create the conflicts in which they are used, their excessive accumulation and universal availability tends to aggravate conflicts by increasing the lethality and duration of violence
Ban calls for action against small arms Apr 24, 2008
I am extremely disappointed in the lack of progress on all fronts
Peace in Darfur is remote, Ban says Apr 17, 2008
We have established a dedicated team to help (establish the operation of) the concept of an African Stand-by Force, which would build on the valiant and pioneering efforts of the African Union's missions in Burundi, in Somalia, in Sudan
U.N. and AU to increase cooperation Apr 17, 2008
It's our duty to do everything we can to prevent further deaths and suffering, that's why today's official opening of the Don Mueang air hub is so vital
U.N. opens staging area for cyclone aid May 24, 2008
Ban Ki-moon (Hangul: 반기문, Hanja: 潘基文; born 13 June 1944) is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated from university, accepting his first post in New Delhi, India. In the foreign ministry he established a reputation for modesty and competence.
Ban was the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea from January 2004 to November 2006. In February 2006, he began to campaign for the office of Secretary-General. Ban was initially considered to be a long shot for the office. As foreign minister of South Korea, however, he was able to travel to all of the countries that were members of the United Nations Security Council, a maneuver that turned him into the front runner.
On 13 October 2006, he was elected to be the eighth Secretary-General by the United Nations General Assembly and officially succeeded Annan on 1 January 2007. Ban has led several major reforms regarding peacekeeping and UN employment practices. Diplomatically, Ban has taken particularly strong views on Darfur, where he helped persuade Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to allow peacekeeping troops to enter Sudan; and on global warming, pressing the issue repeatedly with former U.S. President George W. Bush. Ban has received strong criticism from OIOS, the UN internal audit unit, stating that the secretariat, under Ban's leadership, is "drifting into irrelevance".