Ban Ki-moon sworn in United Nations Sec-Gen

United Nations, Dec 15: The 192-member General Assembly has sworn in Ban Ki-moon as the new Secretary-General, while paying a glorious tribute to incumbent Kofi Annan, who steps down on December 31 at the end of his 10-year tenure.

Mr Ban will take over his new responsibility on January 1.

Meanwhile, both Mr Annan (68) from Ghana, and Mr Ban, a former South Korean Foreign Minister, described security, development and human rights as the three pillars of the United Nations.

Escorted by the UN chief of protocol, Mr Ban left the well of the Assembly to mount the podium. He then took the oath of office as the UN world body's Secretary-General. The oath was administered by Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa.

Earlier, by acclamation the Assembly adopted a resolution of tribute for Mr Annan who, in the words of Sheikha Haya, has devoted his life to the world organization.

''His career has been unique,'' she said, adding, ''He has risen through the ranks of the United Nations and devoted his life's service to the organization. So, today we are not only bidding farewell to the current Secretary-General, but also to one of the longest serving officials of the United Nations.'' She stressed that Mr Annan has stood at the helm as the United Nations has become a more effective globally and demands for its services have grown over the past 10 years.

''We are grateful to Kofi Annan for having set out a far-reaching reform framework to make the organisation more relevant to the people of the world: a United Nations that lives to serve humanity and the principles of multilateralism,'' Sheikha Haya declared.

In response Mr Annan citing UN reforms noted that despite many difficulties and some setbacks in the past decade ''we have achieved much that I am proud of.'' ''It became more transparent, accountable and responsive,'' he declared.

''UN also began to better address the needs of individuals worldwide. It faced emerging threats, as well as familiar ones, head-on and it internalised the notion that development, security and human rights must go hand in hand.'' Swearing in Mr Ban, Sheikha Haya underscored his commitment to ensure that the United Nations lives up to its universal values and principles.

She, further, pledged the Assembly's readiness to work in close cooperation with Ban Ki Moon and said ''I am confident that leading by example Ban Ki Moon has what it takes to make a great contribution to the organisation and the global public that it lives to serve.'' Later, Mr Ban (62) pledging to seek the highest ethical standards set by his predecessor's leadership in guiding the UN through challenging times said ''It is an honour to follow in your revered footsteps as I am succeeding in what you have described as 'the world's most exalting job'.'' He also stressed that one of his core tasks will be ''to breathe new life and inject renewed confidence into the sometimes weary Secretariat'' and improve human resource management, underlining the UN needs a ''dynamic and bold'' Secretariat, instead of a ''passive and fearful'' one.

Mr Ban, who will oversee the UN's 5 billion dollar budget and 92,000 peacekeepers, is the first Asian to lead the world body in 35 years after U Thant of Myanmar.

While addressing in the General Assembly during his oath of office the designated Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said loyalty, discretion, conscience will be watchwords for him in carrying out his duties. ''I stand before all of you today deeply mindful of the words of the oath I have just taken. Loyalty, discretion, conscience -- these, together with the Charter, will be my watchwords as I carry out my duties as Secretary-General.

Paying tribute to the former Secretary-General Annan lifelong devotion to the international civil service and high ideals, aspirations, bold initiatives, courage and vision, he said ''You have led the Organization through challenging times, and ushered it firmly into the twenty-first century. You have given the United Nations new relevance to the people's lives. And you have been exceptionally generous to me with your wisdom and guidance, as I prepare to build on your legacy.'' The designated Secretary-General also thanked the system of early conclusion of the appointment process and said ''I have had the unprecedented privilege of more than two months of preparation before taking office. I have spent much of this time listening to, and learning from, my future colleagues -- among delegations, in the Secretariat, and in the wider UN family.'' ''I have witnessed at first hand the high level of professionalism, dedication, and know-how that exists throughout the United Nations. Armed with that knowledge, I look forward even more to working with the able and courageous men and women who serve this Organisation every day, often in difficult circumstances, sometimes in dangerous ones.'' ''This path is narrow and steep, and transcends national borders and partisan interests. Many stumble along the way, or take easier detours. Yet, drawn to the enduring purposes and principles of the Charter, young women and men from all parts of the world, from every creed and every circumstance, still yearn to follow this path less travelled. Their enthusiasm and their idealism will animate this Organization for decades to come,'' he further added.

He also stressed that his core task will be to breathe new life and inject renewed confidence into the weary Secretariat.

'' As Secretary-General, I will aim to reward the talent and skill of staff, while making optimal use of their experience and expertise. I will seek to improve our systems for human resource management and career development, offering opportunities for training and mobility as the United Nations is taking on more and more global role,'' an enthusiastic Ban said.

Mr Ban also stressed the need of a dynamic and courageous Secretariat and said ''The Member Sates need a dynamic and courageous , not one that is passive and risk-averse. The time has come for a new day in relations between the Secretariat and Member States. The dark night of distrust and disrespect has lasted far too long.'' ''We cannot change everything at once. But we can build progress in a few areas, and so make way for progress in many more. That will require intensive and continuous dialogue. It will require us to work together transparently, flexibly and honestly. And it will require us to start with an open mind,'' Mr Ban added.

The designated Secretary-General, further, said by strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations -- security, development and human rights -- a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world can be build for the coming generations.

''I will do everything in my power to ensure that our United Nations can live up to its name, and be truly united; so that we can live up to the hopes that so many people around the world place in this institution, which is unique in the annals of human history,'' he said.

UNI