United Nations: South Korean diplomat Ban Ki-moon took over yesterday as the UN's eighth secretary-general with a tough array of global issues to confront - from escalating violence in Darfur and rising Middle East tensions to combating Aids and poverty.
The 62-year-old career diplomat, who grew up during a war that left his country divided, has promised to make peace with North Korea a priority. He said he will travel there when necessary and cautioned that the reclusive communist nation must be talked to - and not just punished for conducting a nuclear test.
The US is certain to press Mr Ban to undertake more widespread management reforms at the UN. Mr Ban said he would also work to strengthen the three pillars of the UN - security, development and human rights - to build "a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for succeeding generations". In pursuing that goal, he said, "my first priority will be to restore trust" in the UN, whose reputation has been battered by the oil-for-food scandal in Iraq, corruption in purchasing operations and sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers.
"I will seek to act as a harmoniser and bridge-builder," Mr Ban said. "And I hope to become known . . . as a secretary-general who is accessible, hard-working and prepared to listen attentively."
- (AP)