Washington/United Nations:
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has announced his bid to seek re-election to the top post of this world body.
"This morning, I sent a letter to the membership of the General Assembly and the Security Council, offering humbly, myself for consideration for a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations," Ban told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.
"It has been an enormous privilege to lead this great Organisation. If supported by the members states, I would be deeply honoured to serve once more. Throughout my time in office, I have sought to be a bridge-builder among the member states, within the United Nations system and among a rich diversity of global partners. Finding common ground is central to delivering results," he said.
"Looking back, these four and a half years have marked a period of extraordinary challenge for the United Nations and the international community. And we can be proud of what we have accomplished together," Ban said.
US State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, welcomed the announcement. "We welcome his announcement that he'll seek a second term as secretary general. Clearly, the UN faces an array of daunting challenges. And we've worked constructively with Secretary General Ban on many of them," he said at his daily press briefing.
"Clearly we believe this is an individual with whom we've worked constructively on, as I said, the wide range of issues that are facing the UN," Toner said.
In New York, Ban said the UN under his leadership has raised climate change to the top of the global agenda.
We have responded quickly and effectively to a series of devastating humanitarian emergencies in Myanmar, Haiti, Pakistan and elsewhere. We have saved many lives and sown the seeds of peace in Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cte dIvoire. They must be nurtured carefully," he said.
"Amid the worst economic crisis in (generations), we kept the world's focus firmly on the needs of the most vulnerable. Most recently, during the dramatic events of the "Arab spring," we spoke out firmly and without ambiguity. Listen to the voices of your people, we told the regions rulers. Respect their aspirations," he said.
"Act boldly, now, before it is too late. Let me say it again: this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance freedom and democracy. The United Nations will support these efforts to the maximum," Ban said.
"Throughout all these remarkable developments, amid all these crises, the United Nations has been at the forefront. At a time of unprecedented global change, the world increasingly looks to us, the United Nations, to lead on the great collective issues of the day. That is our challenge as we now look ahead," he said.
"In recent years, we have begun to make real progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We must maintain that critical momentum. We must redouble our efforts to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals. For hundreds of millions of the worlds people, development means hope. We cannot fall short," he said.
"From the very beginning, from our first day in office, we have worked persistently and resolutely for a "Stronger UN for a Better World.
This effort to make the UN more transparent, accountable, efficient and results-oriented has found expression in new measures financial disclosure, performance compacts, the Global Field Support Strategy, more modern information management," Ban said.
"Most recently, we established a change management team to lead the effort to adapt our business practices to the best possible standards," he said, adding that all this is important work difficult and inspiring.
"It demands commitment and passion not only from the Secretary-General, but everyone who has been called to this mission. Let me pay credit where it is most due: our success has largely been thanks to the extraordinary talents and dedication of our UN staff, who strive each and every day to make the world a better place," Ban said.