Ban outlines priorities for second term as UN Secy General

UNITED NATIONS: Enumerating his priorities as chief of the United Nations for a second term, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said global security, democratisation challenges in places like Libya and sustainable development will feature prominently on his agenda.

He said global and regional security and peaceful implementation of democratic reforms will be key challenges.

"We are supporting the transitions that are under way in Egypt and Tunisia, and are deeply engaged in the diplomatic efforts aimed at a solution to the conflict in Libya," Ban said in a statement.

He added that sustainable development will also remain his top priority during his second term as head of the UN.

Other key challenges include achieving the global poverty reduction goals and strengthening disaster risk reduction to avert crises caused by climate change.

"Since my re-election, I have been consulting widely with member states and the full range of UN partners on what they see as the great challenges going forward," the statement quoted Ban as saying in Korean capital Seoul.

"Looking to the longer horizon, sustainable development is at the top of my list of priorities," he said.

The General Assembly had in June agreed to appoint Ban to a second consecutive term as Secretary-General. He will continue to serve until December 2016.

He pointed out that another area of concern was the humanitarian crisis brought on by the severe drought in the Horn of Africa which has led to famine in several areas of Somalia and made an estimated 12.4 million people in the wider region dependent on food aid.