Ban Ki-moon declares second term as UN chief

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday announced his bid to seek re-election to the top post of this world body.

"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 mediapersons 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 a 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.