Ban Ki-moon wins second term as UN chief

Ban Ki-moon was elected Tuesday by the UN General Assembly to complete a second term as secretary-general of the United Nations.

The 192-member assembly voted unanimously to give Ban another five years as head of the global body, the Associated Press reports.

The General Assembly adopted by acclamation a resolution giving Ban another term that begins January 12, 2012, Bloomberg states. The General Assembly acted on the recommendation of the UN Security Council.

Ban, a 67-year-old South Korean diplomat, announced he wanted to serve a second term earlier this month and faced no opposition.

(From GlobalPost: Ban Ki-moon and Israel)

“In a complex, difficult international environment," UN Assembly president Joseph Deiss told Ban from the podium, "you have strengthened the role and the visibility of the United Nations by adopting reform measures, launching exciting, innovative initiatives, and calling faithfully and constantly for respect for human rights, the rule of law and the other values rooted in our charter.”

Ban took the oath of office and then pledged to be a "harmonizer and bridge builder."

“We must deliver results," he said. "Mere statistics will not do. We need results that people can see and touch, results that changes lives, make a difference.”

Ban has been praised for his efforts to bring global attention to climate change, leadership on the Middle East and Haiti recovery and commitment to combating HIV/Aids.

However, he has also faced criticism for not being harder on places like China, Burma and Russia concerning human rights.

Ban's reappointment is good news for the United States as he has had a closer relationship with Washington than the seven previously-elected leaders of the UN, CBS reports. He has also been a supporter of U.S. and NATO efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones.