As the United Nations shifts into a period of new leadership, welcoming Mr. Ban Ki-moon as its eighth Secretary General, the Organization is called upon to respond to challenges as varied as the Boom in information and communication technology, the rapid urbanization of the developing world and natural disasters like the October 2005 South Asian earthquake.
Mr. Ban was born on June 13, 1944. He is married to Madam Yoo Soon-taek. They have one son and two daughters. Mr. Ban has more than 35 years of distinguished service both in government and on the global stage.
Rising through the ranks in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has represented a divided nation that has emerged from the total destruction of war to become a thriving democracy and market economy during the past three decades. His guiding vision has been that of a peaceful Korean Peninsula playing a role for peace and prosperity in the region and in the world.
He is the second Asian to lead the Organization, following U Thant (Myanmar) who served from 1960 to 1971.
Asia is dynamic and diverse; Asia is also a region where modesty is a virtue. But the modesty is about demeanor, not about vision and goals. It does not mean a lack of commitment or leadership. Rather, it is quiet determination in action to get things done without so much fanfare.
Indeed our Organization is modest in its means, but not in its values. We should be more modest in our words, but not in our performance. The true measure of success for the UN is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most. Given the enduring purposes and inspiring principles of our Organization, we need not shout its praises or preach its virtues. We simply need to live them every day – step by step, programme by programme, and mandate by mandate.
"As your Secretary-General, I am far from perfect, and I will need the unsparing support, cooperation and trust from all represented here. But I pledge to serve you well, with all my heart and to the best of my abilities. I will seek excellence with humility. I will lead by example. Promises should be made for the keeping. This has been my motto in life. I intend to stick to it as I work with all stakeholders for a United Nations that delivers on its promises.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude toward my country and people who have sent me here to serve. It has been a long journey from my youth in war-torn and destitute Korea to this rostrum and these awesome responsibilities. I could make the journey because the UN was with my people in our darkest days. It gave us hope and sustenance, security and dignity.[...]
Fifty years later, the world is a much more complex place, and there are many more actors to turn to. During those years, I have traveled many times around the world. I have been elated by the successes of the UN in making life better for countless people. I have been also pained by scenes of its failures. In too many places I could feel the dismay over inaction of the UN or action that was too little or came too late. I am determined to dispel the disillusionment.
I earnestly hope that young boys and girls of today will grow up knowing that the UN is working hard to build a better future for them. As Secretary-General, I will embrace their hopes and hear their appeals. I am an optimist, and I am full of hope about the future of our global Organization. Let us work together for a United Nations that can deliver more and better."