COURTESY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Secretary-General designate brings a unique managerial experience to the United Nations. As Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea since January 2004, 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 an expanding role for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Mr. Ban's first overseas posting was in New Delhi, India, where he was able to acquire first-hand experience on development issues. His bilateral assignments include two terms at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, DC, United States. From 1990 to 1992, he served as Director-General of American Affairs and in 1995 became Deputy Minister for Policy Planning. He was appointed National Security Advisor to the President in 1996 and became Vice Minister in 2000.

In 1996, as Deputy Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Ban was one of the key players in the founding of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) for Asia-Europe Cooperation. In 2000, he oversaw the preparations for his country's hosting of the 3rd ASEM Summit in Seoul. His contributions to strengthening regional cooperation have also extended to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), representing his Government in the APEC senior official meetings in 1995. In 2005, with the Republic of Korea hosting APEC, he has chaired his Government's Preparation and Planning Committee for the APEC Summit in Busan, as well as the 17th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

Former Foreign Minister Ban has nurtured longstanding ties with the United Nations, dating back to 1975 during his days as a staff member in the UN Division at the Ministry's home office. The work expanded over the years with assignments as First Secretary at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York, Director of the UN Division at headquarters and Ambassador to Vienna, during which time he served as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization in 1999. His experience over the years provided a firm base for his instrumental role in his country's successful presidency of the fifty-sixth session of the UN General Assembly in 2001. As Chef-de-Cabinet to the Assembly President during an extraordinary year in the aftermath of the 11 September terrorist attacks, he put his diplomatic and leadership skills to the test in engendering the spirit of cooperation and unity among Member States. From his role in facilitating the prompt adoption of the first resolution (56/1) of the Assembly session, condemning the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to his initiative in amending the rules of procedure for the early election of the General Assembly President in order to have a smooth transition, his efforts were pivotal in turning the year that started out in crisis and confusion into one of the most productive and reform-oriented sessions of the General Assembly.

Mr. Ban has long been actively involved in issues relating to inter-Korean relations. In 1992, as Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister, he served as Vice Chair of the South-North Joint Nuclear Control Commission, following the adoption by the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea of the historic Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. As Foreign Minister 13 years later, he played a leading role in bringing about another landmark agreement for peace and stability on the Peninsula with the adoption in September 2005 at the Six Party Talks of the joint statement on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.

COURTESY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Mr. Ban received his bachelor's degree in international relations from Seoul National University in 1970 and earned a master's degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1985. For his exemplary service to his country, he was awarded the Order of Service Merit twice, in 1975 and 1986. For his accomplishments as an envoy, he received the Grand Decoration of Honor from the Republic of Austria in 2001. A year later, the Government of Brazil bestowed on him the Grand Cross of Rio Blanco. In September 2005, the Korea Society in New York honoured Mr. Ban with the Van Fleet Award for his contributions to the United States-Republic of Korea friendship. In 2006, the Peruvian Government awarded him the Gran Cruz del Sol (Great Cross of the Sun), Peru's highest Order of Diplomatic Service Merit. He was decorated with the National Order of Merit by the Government of Algeria, as well as the Commemorative Medal of Hero of Freedom by the Republic of Hungary. Shortly after, he received another National Order of Merit, this time the Grand Silver Cross Medal of José Matias Delgado, from the Government of El Salvador.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon was born on the thirtheeth of June 1944. He is married to Madam Yoo Soon-taek. They have one son and two daughters.

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