Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat and politician who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016. His tenure was defined by a strong focus on climate change, sustainable development, and international security challenges. Prior to his election, he had a long career in the South Korean foreign service, culminating in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is widely recognized for his calm, diplomatic demeanor and his advocacy for global cooperation through multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

Early life and education

He was born in 1944 in Eumseong County, during the period of Japanese occupation. His family later moved to Chungju, where he excelled in his studies. A pivotal moment in his youth was winning an English speech contest sponsored by the American Red Cross, which included a trip to the United States and a meeting with President John F. Kennedy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in International relations from Seoul National University in 1970. He later received a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1985.

Diplomatic career

He joined the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970, embarking on a decades-long career. His early postings included positions in New Delhi and Washington, D.C.. He served as Director-General for American Affairs and later as National Security Advisor to President Kim Dae-jung. Significant roles included Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, where he chaired the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2004 under President Roh Moo-hyun, managing critical issues such as the Six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

Secretary-General of the United Nations

Elected by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, he began his term on 1 January 2007. A central achievement was his relentless advocacy for climate action, culminating in the pivotal 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and his personal diplomacy leading to the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015. He launched major initiatives like Sustainable Energy for All and the Every Woman Every Child movement. His tenure faced significant security and humanitarian crises, including the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He also oversaw the creation of UN Women in 2010 and advocated for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Post-UN career and activities

After leaving the United Nations, he assumed leadership of the Global Green Growth Institute and was elected Chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna. He serves as the Chairman of the International Olympic Committee's Ethics Commission and is a member of The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela. He remains a prominent voice on global issues, leading the Global Commission on Adaptation and frequently lecturing at institutions like the University of Vienna and Yonsei University. In 2018, he was elected President of the Assembly and Chair Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Personal life and legacy

He is married to Yoo Soon-taek, whom he met in high school; they have three children. Known for a modest and formal diplomatic style, often contrasted with his more charismatic predecessor Kofi Annan, he earned the nickname "the bureaucrat." His legacy is strongly tied to placing climate change at the forefront of the global agenda and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. He has received numerous honors, including South Korea's Grand Order of Mugunghwa and the James A. Van Fleet Award. His papers are archived at the Yonsei University library in Seoul.

Category:Ban Ki-moon Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Secretaries-General of the United Nations Category:South Korean diplomats Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Seoul National University alumni