Hailed as leader, reformer, Annan named for 2nd term as UN Secretary-General

Six months before the end of his current mandate, Kofi Annan, a native of Ghana, was unanimously appointed today by the General Assembly for a second five-year term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Saying he was "deeply honoured" by the re-appointment, Mr. Annan pledged to bring the United Nations closer to the peoples who it was founded to serve, so that five years from now, they will feel that it is "working better to fulfil their needs, and putting their individual welfare at the centre of everything it does."

"Only if their confidence in the United Nations has been strengthened will your confidence in me have been justified," he added.

Today's move by the Assembly, the UN's main legislative body, followed a similarly unanimous decision by the UN Security Council on Wednesday. Introducing this morning a draft resolution recommending Mr. Annan's appointment, which was sponsored by all 15 members of the Security Council, the body's President, Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, said Mr. Annan had exceeded all expectations that surrounded his initial appointment five years ago. "He has excelled in his office, delivering under trying circumstances," he said.

Ambassador Chowdhury lauded Mr. Annan's reform efforts, saying the Secretary-General had "made the United Nations more relevant in today's world, broadening its support base by developing partnerships with civil society and the private sector in particular." The Council President also paid tribute to Mr. Annan's strong support for development, which "has positively impacted on the lives of people all over the world." In addition, Ambassador Chowdhury said the Secretary-General had "made a difference by advocating reason and hope" in response to conflict situations around the world.

The General Assembly President, Harri Holkeri of Finland, said today's decision was testimony to the trust that the Member States place in Mr. Annan. Stressing the need for the UN to become "more relevant to the world outside," the President welcomed Mr. Annan's initiatives to build partnerships with others both nationally and internationally. "I should like to assure you of the support of the Member States as you guide this Organization during the next five years," Mr. Holkeri said.

In his remarks to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General promised to work towards the fulfilment of the "marching orders" set out last year by Heads of State and government at the UN Millennium Summit.

Addressing a capacity audience in the Assembly Hall, Mr. Annan said he laboured "under a constant sense of obligation - to you, the Members of the Organization; to all the world's peoples, whom you represent; and in particular to my fellow Africans, whom you have honoured in my person today."

At the same time, he paid tribute to those who carried out the noble and often dangerous work in the service of the UN in peacekeeping operations, in refugee camps, and in countless other missions of mercy and of hope. "Wherever I have travelled in these past four years, and whatever issues I have tackled, I have been inspired by the sacrifices that the staff of the United Nations make, every day, on behalf of the peoples we serve."

The Secretary-General said he has worked to equip the UN to be able to adjust to new challenges and serve the world more effectively, while turning an unflinching eye on the Organization's failures. "I have sought to speak out in defence of those who cannot speak for themselves - for the right of the poorest to development, and the right of the weakest and most vulnerable to protection," he said. "And I have sought to make universal human rights the touchstone of my work, in all their aspects, because I believe they belong to every faith, every culture, and every people."

"Whether, or how far, I have succeeded in these aims is not for me to judge," he said. "I do know, however, that the task is far from done."

In comments to reporters after the election, Mr. Annan pledged to further the UN's goals by continuing to work closely with other members of the international community. "I will reach out and work much more effectively with the private sector, with civil society and foundations because this is an area of partnership and the UN can only be able to expand its capacity and achieve its goals by working in partnership with others," he said.