United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon bade goodbye to Permanent Representatives and staff at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, being his last official working day as UN scribe.
Ban, whose 10-year tenure comes to an end on Dec. 31, was full of appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He was also full of praise for the UN staff for their hard work and was thankful to those who had gathered to wish him well.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” the outgoing secretary-general, who assumed office on Jan. 1, 2007, said continuously, as he waved to his well-wishers, some of whom were close to tears.
“I thank all of you the staff and the delegations for your hard work and leadership for humanity.
“I have been motivated by this commitment and I am proud to call you my colleagues,” the two-term scribe, whose tenure has been described by many as “eventful”, said.
He re-emphasised that sustainable development, climate change, gender empowerment and youth, among other issues, had been at the top of his agenda in his 10-year tenure.
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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 stressed.
The eighth UN scribe urged the enthusiastic gathering to “keep believing and working hard” to achieve the noble goals of the UN and to be a “voice for the voiceless”.
