Ban’s Message to Barack

The Secretary-General congratulates U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama.

“As Secretary-General of the UN, I look forward to working with the new administration to fulfil our common goals and enormously important objectives,” Mr. Ban told reporters in New York. “This is, I believe, an historic opportunity.”

He recalled previous statements by Mr. Obama, who was elected last night and will take office next January, in which he spoke about the strong stake the US has in the UN.

This will be a “good opportunity not only for, not only the United States, but the United Nations as a whole to resolve all issues through dialogue,” the Secretary-General said, expressing confidence that there will be greater cooperation between the Organization and the US.

The world is ready to work together.