United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has formally announced his candidacy for a second five-year term as the head of the world body.
The 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister said Monday he had sent a letter to the 192 U.N. member states to “humbly” offer himself for a second term. Mr. Ban has been secretary general since January 1, 2007, and his term ends on December 31.
Mr. Ban said he was proud of what had been accomplished during his first term.
The secretary-general's bid for a second term has the backing of the United States and other key members of the U.N. Security Council, and he appears almost certain to be re-elected.
Diplomats say Ban is expected to run unopposed and the UN Security Council should give its approval. The UN General Assembly could then hold a formal vote before the end of June.