Statement on the Appointment of Mr. Ban Ki-moon as Secretary-General of the United Nations

USUN PRESS RELEASE #282

On behalf of the United States, the host country of the United Nations, I would like to welcome the appointment of Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The United States has had the privilege to work with Foreign Minister Ban throughout his distinguished career, in Seoul, in Washington, and here in New York.

We believe he is the right person to lead the United Nations at this decisive moment in its history, particularly as the UN struggles to fulfill the terms of the reform agenda that world leaders agreed to last fall. It will be up to Foreign Minister Ban to lead us as we build upon and complete the modest steps of reform that we have achieved to date. It will be up to all Member Sates to work with him to reform the UN.

We encourage all Members States to give Foreign Minister Ban the support he needs to act decisively to strengthen the United Nations, including during his first months by shaping the UN Secretariat to meet the challenges ahead.

We are confident that Foreign Minister Ban will both represent and instill the highest standards of integrity within the United Nations system. We congratulate him on this appointment.

On behalf of the United States, I would also like to extend my appreciation to the other candidates for this position, President Vike-Freiberga, Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart, Under Secretary-General Tharoor, Ambassador Dhanapala, Prince Zeid, and Ambassador Ghani, and to the Member States that recommended them for consideration.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the United States, our appreciation to Secretary-General Annan for his efforts during his years of service to the United Nations. I would also like to express our appreciation for the work of his top team of advisers, who will also be moving on to new challenges.

Thank you, Madam President.