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Ban Ki-moon sworn in
14/12/2006 19:24 - (SA)
New York - South Korea's Ban
Ki-moon was sworn in as the eighth UN secretary-general on
Thursday, pledging to be a "bridge-builder" and lead a dynamic
and courageous United Nations when he takes over on January 1.
Ban, 62, took the oath of office in a ceremony in the
192-nation UN general assembly that also honoured the outgoing
secretary-general, Kofi Annan.
"By strengthening the three pillars of our United Nations
- security, development and human rights - we can build a
more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for
succeeding generations," Ban told ambassadors from UN
member-states and other dignitaries.
"As we pursue our collective endeavour to reach that goal,
my first priority will be to restore trust. "I will seek to act
as a harmoniser and bridge-builder," Ban said, adding that
world governments required a "dynamic and courageous" United
Nations and not one that was "passive and fearful".
In delivering the oath, Ban swore "not to seek or accept
instructions in regard to the performance of my duties from any
government or other authority external to the organisation".
Borrowing from the Christmas carol "Santa Claus is Coming
to Town", he crooned: "I'm making a list, I'm checking it
twice, I'm going to find out who's naughty or nice. Ban Ki-Moon
is coming to town."
- Reuters
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