Promising to restore trust amongst Member States in the Organization as his first priority, Secretary-General Designate Ban Ki-moon took the oath of office in the General Assembly Hall on Thursday to become the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, beginning 1 January 2007.
By increasing coordination and harmonizing its various parts, he hopes to “begin a new era of harmony”. Deeply mindful of his oath of office, he said that his watchwords would be “loyalty, discretion, conscience,” along with the words of the UN Charter.
In the staff of the UN, Mr. Ban said that he sees a high level of professionalism, dedication and know-how. They are dynamic, able and courageous men and women who serve the Organization every day, often in difficult and dangerous situations. He plans to “listen to and learn from colleagues.”
Mr. Ban emphasized using the skill of staff while making optimum use of resources as well as continuing management reforms and career development through mobility and training. He will hold staff to the highest ethical standards, while at the same time he stated, “I’ll lead you by example.”
He would seek to establish a new relationship between the Secretariat and Member States, symbolic of which was his decision to place his left hand on the Charter as he took the oath. However, recognizing that we cannot change everything overnight, he said that we will need a “sustained and constant dialogue” with transparency and a spirit of openness.
A harmonizer and bridge-builder, Mr. Ban said that he would be accessible and hard-working and would listen attentively. At the same time, he will take a dynamic and courageous approach, not a timid one.
We are all accountable to “We the Peoples” in the Charter and each of the 192 Member States must be heard. “Together we can and must do better”, he said, for peace and security, development and human rights and so that this unique institution that is the UN lives up to its name and is truly united.
Earlier, the General Assembly paid tribute to Secretary-General Kofi Annans ten years of “indefatigable (utrættelige) efforts and dedicated service” to the United Nations, noting his “exceptional contribution to international peace and security, as well as his outstanding efforts to strengthen the United Nations system and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in the interest of a better world”, and thanked him for his efforts in “enhancing the Organizations capacity to meet the major challenges of our time”.
The President of the General Assembly was joined by representatives of many groups in expressing thanks to the Secretary-General for his long and dedicated service to the Organization.
They noted his patience, courage and diplomatic skills in engaging the Member States in all areas of the work of the Organization, perhaps the most significant being the commitments of Member States to the Millennium Development Goals.
They noted that they were not alone in acknowledging his tireless effort as shown in the Nobel Prize for Peace which was awarded him and the Organization in 2001. The Secretary-General received two standing ovations.
Kilde: UNRIC, Bruxelles
