Appointment Of Ban Ki-Moon As Secretary-General

UN Assembly To Meet Today To Appoint Ban Ki-Moon As Next Secretary-General

New York, Oct 13 2006 11:00AM

The United Nations General Assembly is set today to officially appoint Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea as the world body’s next Secretary-General, to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps down on 31 December.

Mr. Ban, who earlier in his diplomatic career served in his country’s mission to the UN and in 2001 was Chef de Cabinet to then-General Assembly President Han Seung-soo of the Republic of Korea, is expected to be appointed by acclamation by the 192-member Assembly.

The ceremony is slated to begin at 3 p.m. when Assembly President Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa of Bahrain will invite the Security Council President for October, Japanese Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, to report on the Council’s recommendation. On Monday, the 15-member body chose Mr. Ban as its nominee by acclamation.

The Assembly will then consider a draft resolution on the subject and is likely to approve the nomination by acclamation, according to Assembly spokesperson Gail Bindley-Taylor Sainte, although members could ask for a vote. The last four Secretaries-General were appointed by the Assembly through a resolution adopted by consensus.

Statements will then be made by Sheikha Haya, Mr. Annan, Regional Group Chairpersons, a representative of the United States as Host country, and the new Secretary-General-designate himself. Mr. Ban is expected to hold a news conference afterwards. He will begin his five-year term on 1 January.

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