News Focus: Appointing UN leader



Key resources:

Secretary-General-designate

Speeches and press conferences by Secretary-General-designate:

· Address to General Assembly after taking oath of office – Text | Video

· Press conference after swearing-in ceremony – Transcript | Video

· Press conference by Secretary-General-designate – Transcript | Video

· Listen to UN Radio's report on the appointment


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Appointing the Secretary-General:
Ban Ki-moon selected as next UN leader
UN Secretary-General-designate Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea
UN Secretary-General-designate
Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea
I will do everything in my power to ensure that our United Nations can live up to its name, and be truly united, so that we can live up to the hopes that so many people around the world place in this institution, which is unique in the annals of human history.
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General designate,
in an address at Oath of Office ceremony
Speeches and press conferences by Secretary-General-designate:
• Address to General Assembly after taking oath of office – Text | Video
• Press conference after swearing-in ceremony – Transcript | Video
• Press conference by Secretary-General-designate – Transcript | Video
• Listen to UN Radio's report on the appointment

The Secretariat Security Council General Assembly

Annan congratulates Ban Ki-moon on taking over "the best possible job on Earth."

 Reacting to Security Council's  recommendation, Annan vows  to do everything to ensure  smooth transition

Security Council recommends
Ban Ki-moon's appointment


Letter from Council President to the President of the General Assembly

General Assembly appoints the next Secretary-General.

Resolution A/Res/61/3

 Statement by the Assembly  President

 View video of Assembly  meeting | Meeting summary


Role of the Secretary-General

Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them.

Click here for more on the role of the Secretary-General.

Photo gallery


How is the Secretary-General appointed?

The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Secretary-General's selection is therefore subject to the veto of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

Although there is technically no limit to the number of five-year terms a Secretary-General may serve, none so far has held office for more than two terms. Mr. Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, will leave office on the 31st December 2006 when his second term expires.

Click here for former Secretaries-General.



I will do everything in my power to ensure that our United Nations can live up to its name, and be truly united, so that we can live up to the hopes that so many people around the world place in this institution, which is unique in the annals of human history.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General designate, in an address at Oath of Office ceremony

Audio

Ban inaugurates first World Humanitarian Day

UN chief urges Afghans to vote

Ban inaugurates first World Humanitarian Day

Related press releases

Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at United Nations Headquarters

Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at United Nations Headquarters

Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen at United Nations Headquarters