The United Nations General Assembly on Friday appointed with
acclamation South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the world
body's next secretary-general to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps
down on Dec. 31.
The General Assembly adopted a resolution on his appointment
after Japanese Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Security Council President
for October, reported to the Assembly on the Council's
recommendation of Ban.
Ban's election was not a surprise for many officials in the
world body, but his sweeping victory within 70 days, forcing the
other six candidates to drop out of the race early, leaving himself
the only candidate available for the post, did astonish those who
had expected the competition for the post to be long and
fierce.
This however, demonstrates the overall competence of the veteran
diplomat with 36 years of service. Being described as "an ardent
internationalist with a self-effacing manner and a poker-champion's
steady mien", Ban is famous for being competent in dealing with
international and diplomatic affairs, especially in his relations
with North Korea, and for being broad minded, evenhanded, and
cautious.
His reputation and the strong support from the UN Security
Council has given people hope that Ban would enjoy an effective
five-year term as the UN chief. Analysts predict that Ban's
election would give him more space and freedom in dealing with UN
internal and external affairs, attract more international
cooperation, and, benefiting from his diplomatic background, the UN
would hopefully participate more widely and deeply in international
affairs in the future.
However, as every coin has two sides, while the perfect
beginning for Ban has given him broad and powerful endorsement, his
new role brings with it several major challenges.
First, the priority for Ban is to earn the trust of a spectrum
of UN member states, and to establish a strong image as the UN
chief.
Soft-spoken, gentle and modest as a typical Asian diplomat, Ban
is famous for getting along with his fellow colleagues and other
officials. Yet his gentle manner raises some doubt as to whether he
will be tough enough when necessary, to deal with serious
international disputes or when facing strong disagreements.
To answer these doubts, Ban used to say that Asia is a region
where modesty is a virtue. But such modesty is about demeanor, not
about vision and goals. It does not mean the lack of commitment or
leadership. Rather, it involves quiet determination in action to
get things down without so much fanfare, he explained.
In spite of obtaining overwhelming support from the UN Security
Council, the name of Ban Ki-moon is still not familiar enough among
other UN member states, especially those outside of Asia. The new
UN chief-to-be needs to prove his competence fast.
As the chief, Ban will oversee an organization with 17,000
staff, some 92,000 peacekeepers around the world, and an annual
budget of five billion US dollars. Famed for his diplomatic
experience and skills, Ban is comparatively weak on administrative
tasks, making his future orchestration of the world body and its
ongoing reforms a major concern to many countries.
Secondly, when he formally takes the seat from Kofi Annan on
Jan. 1st, 2007, the restoration of the tarnished reputation of the
United Nations and the implementation of the ongoing reforms will
be among the first major tasks awaiting Ban.
During Annan's 10-year rule, the UN's role has been expanded and
given a higher profile. However, the organization is also saddled
by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, while many world
leaders believe its most powerful organ, the Security Council, must
be revamped to reflect the realities of 2006 and not 1945, when it
was created. UN detractors, and even some supporters, are demanding
significant change.
The reforms within the UN launched by Annan have also been
criticized by some as being sluggish and relatively
ineffective.
How to negotiate among UN member states, to further boost the
slow reforms to regenerate the old world body, to improve the
efficiency of UN departments, and to polish its tarnished
reputation, all combine to present an urgent and important agenda
lying on Ban's table.
During his speeches in response to the announcement of his
appointment, Ban has reiterated his determination to carry on the
UN reforms, and to realize the three core goals of the
organization: peace and security, development, and human
rights.
Thirdly, how to enhance the UN's work, and strengthen
multilateral diplomacy will be another major task for Ban.
Since the "9.11" tragedy, the international community has relied
more heavily on multilateralism, thus making the UN an even more
important international organization when tackling international
issues, and the role of the secretary-general an even more
significant one.
As a senior diplomat, Ban frequently expressed the hope that the
UN would participate more actively in international affairs, and he
has said that when he became secretary-general, he would personally
put more energy into the body's political and diplomatic missions,
mediating international disputes in a more active and neutral
manner, while leaving most of the administrative work to the deputy
secretary general.
However, one of the most important UN member states, the United
States has clearly expressed the expectation that Ban would focus
more on the UN's internal administration and its lagging reforms,
rather than taking on the role of a worldwide "fireman". How Ban
can balance his own ambition and the expectations of the US is yet
another challenge.
Finally, although the US has given Ban its major support to help
him win the post, it doesn't necessarily mean that the only super
power in the world would allow the UN chief to "do whatever he
wants".
Conflicts have occurred frequently in recent years between the
US, which cherishes unilateralism, and the UN which promotes
multilateralism. How to deal with the vital relationship between
the UN and the US is another complicated and sensitive issue for
the new UN chief-to-be to take up.
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2006)
