Ban Ki-Moon´s leadership effort boosts UN public diplomacy
Surya B. Prasai
June 10, 2008
When Hurricane Nargis struck Burma´s Irrawaddy Delta nearly a month ago, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon decided to pay an immediate visit to the region. In visiting Myanmar, it is rumored within international aid circles, Ban´s barefoot walk to the Shwe Dagon Buddhist temple altar impressed the Burmese Junta so much that they immediately made a decision to lift the ban so that international aid workers could come in. Although the following weeks showed the Burmese junta not living up to their stated promise, at least Ban´s efforts to usher in the desired hope and allow aid workers to reach hitherto unreached areas and deliver essential relief supplies was considered a good score for UN public diplomacy. After his Myanmar trip, Ban hopped on to China, where he met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao near Sichuan province, at the center of the May 12 tremor of 7.9 richter scale that killed more than 100,000 people. Ban praised China´s efforts in providing for the quake victims just as much as the Chinese leadership seemed to be bowled over by his sincerity and earnestness. The UN immediately dispatched $ 8 million to Beijing from its Central Emergency Response Fund as it did in assist Myanmar.
Ban Ki-moon so far has been bolstering UN public diplomacy to tackle problems in various global trouble spots. Before being elected UN Secretary General Ban served South Korea as its Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Earlier to that, he had served in New Delhi, Washington D.C. and Vienna handling a variety of diplomatic and economic assignments. This was followed by stints as Foreign Policy Advisor to the President, Chief National Security Advisor to the President, and Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and Director-General of American Affairs. Various South Korean media described Ban´s humanitarian concerns before he became the UN Secretary General as possessing the right orientation to world affairs, namely in developing South Korea´s geo-centric foreign policy outlook as a responsible and emerging Asia-Pacific economic power after Japan, China and India. He has been credited by South Korea´s free press as having contributing positively to expanding his country´s economic and political role in achieving peace and prosperity in the region calling for greater political responsibility and economic forbearance in helping the poorer countries in the region particularly through the US led Asia-Pacific Economic Community. These personal traits have served Ban very well in the UN system since his skills are now a common asset to the UN member states particularly in crisis solvency.
Since being appointed UN-SG on January 1, 2007, Ban has been quick to serve as a trouble shooter in various global trouble spots seeking support from the UN Security Council´s members whenever required. Since Ban joined office, he has been faced with several challenges on the global front, in particular UN peace keeping, which now has a more diversified and broader role. Earlier, in a discussion forum organized by the New York Times, Ban stated as one of the candidates for the Secretary General´s position, the urgent need for UN system reforms. Ban´s stated, "The leaders have made an urgent call for progress and reform. The UN is overstretched and fatigued. It must find new vigor to effectively meet the growing expectations of the international organizations. Indeed, I think the United Nations has been engaged in a most comprehensive reform process in the history of the United Nations… However, the reform process has also brought to the fore an ailment that needs to be cured if the vitality of the organization is to be restored. By this I refer to the deep political fault lines that have hardened over the years."
Of course, his predecessor Kofi Annan had maintained a strong tradition of reaching out to the world´s poor and hungry especially with the UN Millennium Development Challenge goals to be achieved by 2015, but Ban had also given a further boost to Annan´s efforts by focusing more on inter-agency coordination among the UN specialized agencies, whose mandates sometimes operate in a cross-cutting manner on sensitive global agenda such as curbing population growth, halting the further spread of HIV/AIDS, curbing global warming and reducing global poverty.
Ban has usually received strong support in his efforts from the world´s G-8 countries, while his recent crusade has been on the halting global climate change, in particular trying to get the world´s poorer countries to meet some sort of understanding on the Bali Protocol which calls for a global cut off date of 2009.
One of his immediate priorities has been to help the UN bolster its image in the US, particularly since its headquarters are based in New York. One reads in the New York Times occasionally that angry words are exchanged between the UN offices and the New York City Council on minor issues such as UN building leases not being paid on time, or the menace of accumulated parking tickets, but these in the main overlook the larger presence of the UN in New York as the cockpit of world politics, diplomacy and culture.
Ban has also been quick to court Washington and other G-8 capitals to ensure that there is sustained funding and political support to the UN. Previously UN member states used to view the global organization as an instrument that could only recommend but not act, but under Ban it is taking a more pro-active role in close consultation with the UN Security Council members, both permanent and non-permanent.
In his acceptance speech as UN Secretary General, Ban spoke in fluent English and French to continue supporting the work done by Annan with respect to global peace, development and prosperity. However, he also mentioned, given the short time to prepare for the position, that he would "consult widely on how best to proceed with a common agenda of reform and revitalization." Ban has also stated in past l speeches that the UN must now prove itself less on rhetoric and more on action. He is clear that the promise of the United Nations is useless without delivery. He views the UN in the 21st century as an institution that helps ´to strengthen the inter-state system so that humanity may be better served amidst new challenges´ and to continue ´protecting the most vulnerable members of humanity´.
In retrospect, Ban´s first ties to the UN date back to 1975, when he worked for the Foreign Ministry´s United Nations division, while later on he served a posting as First Secretary at the ROK´s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Director of the UN Division at the ministry´s headquarters in Seoul, and Ambassador to Vienna, during which time, in 1999, he also was the Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization. In 2001-2002, he served as Chef-de-Cabinet when the Republic of Korea assumed the Presidency of the General Assembly. In that capacity, he had helped facilitate the prompt adoption of the first resolution of the session, condemning the terrorist attacks of 11 September, and initiated some steps at strengthening the Assembly´s functioning, thereby helping to turn a session that started out in crisis and confusion to one where a number of important reforms were eventually adopted.
At a time when many Asia-Pacific countries including the US which leads APEC have called for reconciliation between the two Koreas and the easing of tensions, Ban has the experience in consolidating on past achievements of inter-Korean relations. Also in 1992, he served as Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister, and as Vice Chair of the South-North Joint Nuclear Control Commission following the adoption of the historic Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In September 2005, as Foreign Minister, Ban played a crucial role in forging a landmark agreement promoting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula with the adoption at the Six Party Talks of the Joint Statement on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. The UN Secretary General who holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Seoul National University in 1970 finished up his education at Harvard University´s Kennedy School of Government in 1985. In 1975, 1986 and again in 2006, Ban was awarded the ROK´s Highest Order of Service Merit for service to his country. One can be assured in the hustle and bustle of the UN in upper Manhattan, New York, one calm person sits at its upper floors, modest looking and always appearing to be contemplative. That is Ban Ki-moon thinking about the future of world peace and what the UN can do to achieve it consistently.
Ban Ki-moon so far has been bolstering UN public diplomacy to tackle problems in various global trouble spots. Before being elected UN Secretary General Ban served South Korea as its Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Earlier to that, he had served in New Delhi, Washington D.C. and Vienna handling a variety of diplomatic and economic assignments. This was followed by stints as Foreign Policy Advisor to the President, Chief National Security Advisor to the President, and Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and Director-General of American Affairs. Various South Korean media described Ban´s humanitarian concerns before he became the UN Secretary General as possessing the right orientation to world affairs, namely in developing South Korea´s geo-centric foreign policy outlook as a responsible and emerging Asia-Pacific economic power after Japan, China and India. He has been credited by South Korea´s free press as having contributing positively to expanding his country´s economic and political role in achieving peace and prosperity in the region calling for greater political responsibility and economic forbearance in helping the poorer countries in the region particularly through the US led Asia-Pacific Economic Community. These personal traits have served Ban very well in the UN system since his skills are now a common asset to the UN member states particularly in crisis solvency.
Since being appointed UN-SG on January 1, 2007, Ban has been quick to serve as a trouble shooter in various global trouble spots seeking support from the UN Security Council´s members whenever required. Since Ban joined office, he has been faced with several challenges on the global front, in particular UN peace keeping, which now has a more diversified and broader role. Earlier, in a discussion forum organized by the New York Times, Ban stated as one of the candidates for the Secretary General´s position, the urgent need for UN system reforms. Ban´s stated, "The leaders have made an urgent call for progress and reform. The UN is overstretched and fatigued. It must find new vigor to effectively meet the growing expectations of the international organizations. Indeed, I think the United Nations has been engaged in a most comprehensive reform process in the history of the United Nations… However, the reform process has also brought to the fore an ailment that needs to be cured if the vitality of the organization is to be restored. By this I refer to the deep political fault lines that have hardened over the years."
Of course, his predecessor Kofi Annan had maintained a strong tradition of reaching out to the world´s poor and hungry especially with the UN Millennium Development Challenge goals to be achieved by 2015, but Ban had also given a further boost to Annan´s efforts by focusing more on inter-agency coordination among the UN specialized agencies, whose mandates sometimes operate in a cross-cutting manner on sensitive global agenda such as curbing population growth, halting the further spread of HIV/AIDS, curbing global warming and reducing global poverty.
Ban has usually received strong support in his efforts from the world´s G-8 countries, while his recent crusade has been on the halting global climate change, in particular trying to get the world´s poorer countries to meet some sort of understanding on the Bali Protocol which calls for a global cut off date of 2009.
One of his immediate priorities has been to help the UN bolster its image in the US, particularly since its headquarters are based in New York. One reads in the New York Times occasionally that angry words are exchanged between the UN offices and the New York City Council on minor issues such as UN building leases not being paid on time, or the menace of accumulated parking tickets, but these in the main overlook the larger presence of the UN in New York as the cockpit of world politics, diplomacy and culture.
Ban has also been quick to court Washington and other G-8 capitals to ensure that there is sustained funding and political support to the UN. Previously UN member states used to view the global organization as an instrument that could only recommend but not act, but under Ban it is taking a more pro-active role in close consultation with the UN Security Council members, both permanent and non-permanent.
In his acceptance speech as UN Secretary General, Ban spoke in fluent English and French to continue supporting the work done by Annan with respect to global peace, development and prosperity. However, he also mentioned, given the short time to prepare for the position, that he would "consult widely on how best to proceed with a common agenda of reform and revitalization." Ban has also stated in past l speeches that the UN must now prove itself less on rhetoric and more on action. He is clear that the promise of the United Nations is useless without delivery. He views the UN in the 21st century as an institution that helps ´to strengthen the inter-state system so that humanity may be better served amidst new challenges´ and to continue ´protecting the most vulnerable members of humanity´.
In retrospect, Ban´s first ties to the UN date back to 1975, when he worked for the Foreign Ministry´s United Nations division, while later on he served a posting as First Secretary at the ROK´s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Director of the UN Division at the ministry´s headquarters in Seoul, and Ambassador to Vienna, during which time, in 1999, he also was the Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization. In 2001-2002, he served as Chef-de-Cabinet when the Republic of Korea assumed the Presidency of the General Assembly. In that capacity, he had helped facilitate the prompt adoption of the first resolution of the session, condemning the terrorist attacks of 11 September, and initiated some steps at strengthening the Assembly´s functioning, thereby helping to turn a session that started out in crisis and confusion to one where a number of important reforms were eventually adopted.
At a time when many Asia-Pacific countries including the US which leads APEC have called for reconciliation between the two Koreas and the easing of tensions, Ban has the experience in consolidating on past achievements of inter-Korean relations. Also in 1992, he served as Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister, and as Vice Chair of the South-North Joint Nuclear Control Commission following the adoption of the historic Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In September 2005, as Foreign Minister, Ban played a crucial role in forging a landmark agreement promoting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula with the adoption at the Six Party Talks of the Joint Statement on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. The UN Secretary General who holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Seoul National University in 1970 finished up his education at Harvard University´s Kennedy School of Government in 1985. In 1975, 1986 and again in 2006, Ban was awarded the ROK´s Highest Order of Service Merit for service to his country. One can be assured in the hustle and bustle of the UN in upper Manhattan, New York, one calm person sits at its upper floors, modest looking and always appearing to be contemplative. That is Ban Ki-moon thinking about the future of world peace and what the UN can do to achieve it consistently.
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