Ban stresses ‘people power’ and partnerships at start of second term as UN chief

3 January 2012 – Ban Ki-moon has begun his second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations by pledging to harness “the strong power of partnerships” to respond to the planet’s biggest challenges, such as tackling climate change, combating poverty and empowering women and girls.

In an interview with the UN News Centre and UN Radio to mark the start of his second term, Mr. Ban, 67, stressed the need for unity, particularly among Member States and their citizens.

“Together, nothing is impossible,” he said, adding that “if we strengthen these partnerships among governments, business communities, civil organizations and philanthropists, then I think all these powerful partnerships can bring us towards the right direction.”

Full Interview with Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

On 1 January 2012 Ban Ki-moon began his second five-year term as Secretary-General of the United Nations this week. As his second term gets under way, he reflected on some of the biggest developments and issues during his first term, and on the challenges ahead.