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Ban welcomes election of General Assembly President

Ban welcomes election of General Assembly President

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with the President-elect of the General Assembly Ali Treki of Libya
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated veteran United Nations diplomat Ali Abdussalam Treki of Libya on his election as the President of the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated veteran United Nations diplomat Ali Abdussalam Treki of Libya on his election as the President of the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

The three-time Libyan Ambassador to the UN and current Minister of African Union Affairs for the North African nation was elected by acclamation by the 192-member Assembly.

Mr. Ban welcomed the President-elect back to the UN, noting that his “wide-ranging diplomatic experience will be invaluable as he presides over the General Assembly.”

He said that as the world faces new problems and threats, Mr. Treki’s leadership will be crucial if the Assembly is to respond with unified action.

The Secretary-General also paid tribute to the current President, Miguel Brockmann D’Escoto of Nicaragua, “on his valuable contribution” and said that he anticipates a “smooth transition to the new leadership” of the body.”

The President-elect will take up his post when the Assembly begins its 64th session on 15 September.

Mr. D’Escoto said that he assumes Mr. Treki will face the job “with the same passion and determination that have inspired my presidency,” encouraging him to “press for the revitalization of this body as it seeks to restore its authority and leadership on the world stage during these perilous times.”