In a press conference, Ban Ki-moon underscored that the UN is "putting its highest focus on sustainable development" and called for making Rio+20 a success, "covering all the issues, starting from climate change, water scarcity, energy scarcity, and food security issues and global health issues."
6 June 2011: In a press conference held at UN Headquarters in New York, US, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he had sent a letter to the membership of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Security Council, offering himself for consideration for a second term as Secretary-General.
Looking back on his first mandate, he noted that the past four and one-half years “have marked a period of extraordinary challenge” for the UN and international community. He outlined accomplishments, including raising climate change to the top of the global agenda. Asked whether he should be held accountable for the fact that his top priorities for his first term – getting a climate change deal and peace in Darfur – have not been achieved, Ban replied that the climate negotiations are still ongoing and require the collective will of world leaders. He recalled his efforts in this area, including: the convening of two summits at the UN to build momentum on climate action; his participation in many UNFCCC negotiations; and his visits to “all the places around the world” where negative consequences of climate change can be observed. He said these efforts enabled the UN “to bring this agenda to the top of the world’s attention,” and indicated that they will continue. Stressing the need to build on the achievements in Cancun in 2010 at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, Ban noted that he has already been speaking with the world leaders, particularly President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. He added that he would “spare no efforts” if re-elected as Secretary-General, noting that this issue is “the most important priority for human beings.”
Ban also underscored that the UN is “putting its highest focus on sustainable development.” He explained that the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) will be “crucially important for humanity.” He called for making Rio+20 a success, “covering all the issues, starting from climate change, water scarcity, energy scarcity, and food security issues and global health issues.”
Ban Ki-moon’s first five-year term as UN Secretary-General began in January 2007 and will end on 31 December 2011. If he is appointed for a second term, he will serve until the end of 2016. [Press Conference Transcript] [UN Press Release] [UN News Centre]