MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South Korean Ban Ki-moon confirmed UN Secretary General

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon has been formally voted the next United Nations secretary general by the General Assembly.

The resolution, adopted unanimously Friday, follows Mr Ban's nomination to succeed Kofi Annan by the UN Security Council. Mr Annan is due to step down on 31 December after heading the UN for two five-year terms.

Mr Ban, 62, will become the eighth Secretary General and the first Asian to head the UN since Burma's U Thant, who held the post from 1961 to 1971.

The general assembly confirmed Mr Ban's appointment by acclamation on the basis of approval by all 192 members. One of six candidates for the post, Mr Ban came top of all four informal polls in the Security Council and his five rivals all quit the race.

Following the vote Ban said he was "deeply honoured" and vowed to use his position to ensure that the organization achieved more.

"The true measure of success for the UN is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most," Mr Ban said. "The UN is needed now more than ever before," he added.

Mr Ban cited poverty, HIV/Aids, environmental degradation, protecting human rights and combating terrorism among his priorities. He also mentioned reforms but hinted that he would lead the process at his own pace. "We reform not to please others, but because we value what this organization stands for," he said.

"We cannot change everything at once. But if we choose wisely, and work together transparently, flexibly and honestly, progress in a few areas will lead to progress in a few more."

Mr Annan congratulated his successor, hailing him as "a man with a truly global mind" with "exceptional qualifications".

Mr. Ban will be leading an organization (created in 1945) with 92.000 blue helmets distributed in peace missions all over the world's hot spots and with a five billion US dollars budget, but with an eroded reputation following several corruption scandals and in urgent need of updating reforms.