The United Nations Security Council is expected to endorse the reappointment of Ban Ki-moon for a second term as U.N. chief on Friday.

Mr. Ban faces no other candidates. His bid 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.

The 192-nation U.N. General Assembly is scheduled to vote to confirm him on June 21.

U.S. President Barack Obama has welcomed Mr. Ban's candidacy. The White House said the U.N. secretary-general has made important reforms and led the world body as it played a critical role in crises and challenges around the world — including in Haiti, Ivory Coast, Libya and South Sudan.

Mr. Ban formally announced his candidacy for a second five-year term last week.

The 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister said he sent a letter to the 192 U.N. member states to “humbly” offer himself for re-election. Mr. Ban has been secretary-general since January 1, 2007, and his term ends on December 31.