Pros And Cons Of Ban Ki-Moon

Formally known as the Foreign Minister for South Korea, Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current United Nations Secretary General (UNSG). He became politically inspired after winning a competition to visit the White House and meeting John F. Kennedy at eighteen years old.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Harvard University in 1970, Ban entered South Korea’s foreign service as a counsellor for the embassy in Washington, D.C. (1987-90). His portfolio forever continued to expand within the foreign service, performing roles such as; director of American affairs at the Foreign Ministry (1990-92), deputy foreign minister (1995-96) and national security advisor to the president (1996-98).

Ban is the current proprietor
of the Secretary General position since being appointed on January 1st 2007 by the UN General Assembly. President Franklin D. Roosevelt vaguely defined the Secretary General position as a “world moderator,” leaving plenty of room for interpretation by those who would occupy the position in the future. The Charter of the United Nations (foundational contract signed by 50 of the original 51 member countries) most importantly states that the Secretary General must “bring to the attention of the Security Council and matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security”. Furthermore, the Charter labels the role as “chief administrative officer,” performing “functions as are entrusted” by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and any other UN board or association.

If all affairs and concerns from the Member States are not taken into account, then the Secretary General would fail, thus not upholding his moral authority and values of the United Nations.
It is a position of delegation, whereby Ban must challenge those Member States with disagreeing views and speak and act for peace during times of warfare and risk. Last week, on September 8th 2014, Ban expressed his thoughts on the Responsibility to Protect: “The world faces a series of conflicts that feature acts that shock the global conscience... Turning a blind eye to these acts is no longer tenable.”
The United Nations was established in October 1945 to promote international co-operation, human rights, advancing social and economic development, humanitarian aid in deprivation, natural disaster and armed conflict, largely based on the prevention of another conflict similar to the Second World War. Since the establishment of the original 51 member states, it has expanded to 193, with the UN Headquarters situated in New York City, and main offices in Geneva and Vienna. In reference to the Secretary General, the confederates and allies of the role are primarily the General Assembly and 193 Member States, but essentially, everyone in the world volunteering for humanitarian and disaster relief organisations, as well as anyone trying to make a difference in this
manner.

As Secretary General, Ban’s first major initiatives was the 2007 Climate Change Summit. He implemented major efforts to bring this issue to the forefront of the global agenda, promoting sustainable development from the beginning of his term. Soon after, subsequent energies were enforced to target the world’s poverty, with special emphasis on women and children’s health in Africa. In 2008, during the food, economic and energy crisis, the Secretary General successfully accepted a $1 trillion financing package, making the focus to aid those vulnerable and vastly affected by the crisis. His advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality stems from campaigns including the “Unite to End Violence against Women” campaign, a new Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the “Stop Rape Now” initiative. Since being elected in 2007, Ban has increased the number of women in senior management positions by 40%, making it the highest in the United Nations history.