U.N. chief focuses on peace, human rights

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says peace, safety and sustainable development are key imperatives for his second term as head of the world body.

Ban, who recently began his second five-year term as U.N. chief, laid out his action plan Wednesday in a speech before member states.

"Today I want to share with you an action agenda for the coming five years," he said "A plan to make the most of the opportunities before us. A plan to help create a safer, more secure, more sustainable, more equitable future. A plan to build the future we want."

Ban said his work with the United Nations will focus on preventing and mitigating conflicts, human rights abuses and the impacts of natural disasters, building a safer and more secure world, supporting countries in transition and working to engage the talents of women and young people.

Ban's agenda includes a campaign to wipe out malaria, polio, pediatric HIV infections and measles, as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Ban said the United Nations will work to make Antarctica a world nature preserve and he will also appoint a new special representative for youth.