UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon has announced his official bid for a second term as the UN chief. The secretary general made the announcement at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday following his meeting with the Asian Group of nations at the United Nations. He said, if supported by the member- states, he would be deeply honored to serve once more. Diplomats said, Mr. Ban sent a letter to both the 192-member UN General Assembly and the president of the 15-nation UN Security Council, the UN ambassador of Gabon who holds the rotating Council presidency for June, formally asking for the support to his candidacy for a second five-year term as the UN Secretary General. Ban's current mandate ends on December 31, and he has no declared rival for the post. The 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister succeeded Kofi Annan in January 2007. Meanwhile US President Barack Obama supports United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon's bid for a second term. In a statement, the While House spokesman Jay Carney said the president believes Mr. Ban has made important reforms at an institution that is imperfect. Mr. Carney said under Ban's leadership, the United Nations has played a critical role in responding to crises and challenges across the globe. The spokesman cited UN efforts to support democratic transitions in Ivory Coast and earthquake-hit Haiti, a referendum on South Sudan's self-determination and efforts to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis in Libya. Mr Obama's backing will be a valuable boost to Mr Ban, 66, in his drive for a second five-year term, which he looks almost certain to win. Mr Ban, whose first term ends on December 31, so far is unopposed for re-election.
Courtesy : AIR
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