Ban Ki-moon sworn in at UN, pledges to 'restore trust' (Roundup)

By Chris Cermak Dec 14, 2006, 19:27 GMT

New York - South Korea's Ban Ki-moon was sworn in as the eighth secretary general of the United Nations Thursday, promising to continue reforming an organization he suggested had been badly damaged by corruption and ethical questions in its recent past.

Ban vowed to 'restore trust in the organization' and promote the 'highest ethical standards,' in the wake of corruption scandals that tarnished the last few years of outgoing Kofi Annan's 10-year tenure.

'The good name of the UN is one of its most valuable assets,' Ban said after taking the oath of office before the UN General Assembly. 'I assure you I will lead you by example.'

Annan, 68, received two standing ovations from the assembly for leading the UN through a tumultuous reform process, and was praised for his 'tireless' diplomatic efforts to help resolve many diplomatic and military conflicts around the world.

The outgoing secretary general thanked the UN's 192 members for their support over the years, which he said 'often made the difference between an impossible job and an exhilarating one.'

'Our organization will be in safe hands,' Annan said of his successor, telling the assembly, 'I already know that you have chosen well.'

Ban, 62, also praised Annan for leading the UN 'through challenging times' and promised to 'build on (Annan's) legacy.'

Annan, who officially leaves office on December 31, set the UN on its most significant reform process since its founding more than 60 years ago, in part due to a damaging corruption affair surrounding the oil-for-food programme that formed the basis of sanctions against Iraq until 2003. Embarassing allegations of sexual misconduct by UN peacekeepers in Africa also highlighted the need for change.

Ban offered a candid assessment of the management reform process, focusing less on the world's diplomatic and military conflicts that he will also inherit, including attempts to halt the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, and conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan's Darfur region.

Ban spent 35 years serving the South Korean government, becoming foreign minister in January 2004, which he held until his appointment to the UN's top post.

The secretary general-elect said he would work to restore trust in the UN as a whole, as well as between his UN secretariat and the 192 member states, which have been at odds through much of the reform process on issues including the creation of a new Human Rights Council and the separation of powers between the Security Council and the General Assembly.

'There has been much criticism over the UN's inability and inefficiencies over the past few years, though the UN has played an instrumental role' in promoting peace around the world, Ban said at a press conference after his swearing-in.

'One of my core tasks will be to breath new life and new confidence into the sometimes weary secretariat,' Ban said.

A reform issue that members have long been stuck on is the expansion of the UN Security Council from its current 15 members, which Ban called 'by far the most important and sensitive issue considering the dramatic changes in international politics.'

UN ambassadors praised Annan for leading the UN through a tumultuous era of reform and pledged to work with Ban, who officially takes office on January 1.

Ban 'is now entrusted with all the hopes and dreams for a peaceful and prosperous world,' said Malaysian ambassador Hamidon Ali, who applauded Annan for weaving his way through the 'most difficult (job) in the world.'

Annan, the first-ever African leader of the UN, originally from Ghana, was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 - the second head of the organization to receive the award.

'You always kept faith with the downtrodden and the underprivileged,' said South Africa's ambassador, Dumisani Kumalo. 'The son of African soil has served the world with honour.'

Iraq's UN ambassador Hamid al-Bayati said Annan worked hard to resolve problems in the Middle East - 'one of the hotbeds of tension' during his time in office - and praised his attempts to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Annan leaves after 44 years in the UN organization.