The InterDependent

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 66, announced on June 6 his plan to run for a second five-year term, which begins on Jan. 1, 2012. Ban, a Korean, is running unopposed; his bid is likely to be accepted by the Security Council and voted on in the General Assembly by next month.

President Barack Obama issued a statement welcoming Ban's announcement, saying that the U.S. supports his candidacy.

“Under Ban's leadership, the United Nations has played a critical role in responding to crises and challenges across the globe, including most recently supporting democratic transitions in Côte d'Ivoire and earthquake-affected Haiti, the conduct of the referendum on South Sudan's self-determination, and efforts to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis in Libya,” the White House statement read.

It added: “The United Nations is an imperfect, but indispensable institution. The Secretary-General has made important reforms, such as increasing the hiring of women to senior posts and proposing the deepest reduction in the U.N.'s budget in more than a decade.”

It also noted that the U.S. “strongly supports further efforts for reform to improve effectiveness, streamline bureaucracy, reduce costs, and update business practices to improve the United Nations' ability to meet its mandate to promote global peace and security, human rights and development.”

Milan Stanic for UNA-USA

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 66, announced his intent to run for re-election on June 6. No other candidates are in the race.

Alain Juppé, the French minister of foreign and European affairs, issued a statement on Ban’s announcement as well.

“This is very good news, and I welcome it,” Juppé said in the remarks. “The UN and the entire international community can rely upon him, his very solid experience and his authority. Mr. Ban Ki-moon has France’s full support.”

In the last five years, the statement said, “Ban has worked hard for peace and development on behalf of the UN" and has “shown courage and determination in a period of crisis.”

“We have no doubt that he will display the same qualities during his second term at the head of the UN, striving notably to strengthen the effectiveness of the UN system,” the remarks continued. “In an increasingly complex world with numerous challenges, the UN must continue to adapt and to remain central to the international system.”

Timothy E. Wirth, president of the UN Foundation, noted in a statement what Ban needs to do going forward: “As he looks to a second term as Secretary-General, Ban’s priorities for the UN point to some of the key issues that demand global attention. We welcome this focus on greater peace and stability, improved health for women and girls, better humanitarian response to natural disasters and crises, attention to climate change, empowerment of women and girls, and a commitment to sustainable energy for all. A more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective UN under his vision of a ‘Stronger UN for a Better World’ will help achieve these goals.