Ban Ki-moon urges UN staff to be voice for voiceless

New York [United States], Dec. 31 (ANI): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon bid goodbye to staff and Permanent Representatives at United Nations Headquarters in New York and urged them to be a voice for the voiceless. He said that though he had delivered many speeches over his decade in office, he had but two important words for those gathered to wish him well: "thank you." Thanking staff and delegations for their hard work and leadership for humanity, Ban said that he had been motivated by their commitment and that he was "proud to call you my colleagues". Citing sustainable development, climate change, gender empowerment and youth among the issues that had been at the top of his agenda, Ban urged the enthusiastic gathering to keep believing and working hard to achieve the noble goals of the UN. "It has been a privilege to serve the world's people. And it has been an honour to serve with you and all our partners - including Member States, civil society, and many more," he said. For his last day in office, Ban will serve as a special guest today at the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, joining New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to push the Waterford crystal button and lead the sixty second countdown to the New Year. Approximately one million revellers are expected to fill the fabled Square, joined by over 198 million Americans and more than one billion television viewers worldwide who will ring in the New Year watching the historic Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop, according to the event organizers. Ban's last day in office will be the culmination of a decade of service at the helm of the United Nations, during which he sought to mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy and water. In addition, he has sought to be a bridge-builder, to give voice to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the Organization itself. Ban began his first term as Secretary-General on January 1, 2007, and was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly to a second term on June 21, 2011. He will be succeeded on January 1, 2017 by Antonio Guterres of Portugal, who was formally appointed by the UN General Assembly on October 13. (ANI)