H.E. John W. Ashe, President of the 68th session of the General Assembly bout the President Biography of H.E.

r. John W. Ashe

John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda was elected President of the General Assemblys sixty-eighth session on 1 June !"1# while ser$ing in the dual ca%acity as his countrys Permanent &e%resentati$e to both the 'nited (ations and the World )rade *rgani+ation, %ositions he held since !"" .

Guided by a %assion for sustainable de$elo%ment, -r. Ashe has been in the forefront of international efforts to address the ad$erse effects of climate change and the fight to eradicate %o$erty. .e has ser$ed in a leadershi% ca%acity on many of the go$erning bodies of the ma/or '( en$ironmental agreements, including as the first 0hairman of the 1xecuti$e Board of the 0lean 2e$elo%ment -echanism of the 3yoto Protocol to the '( 4ramewor5 0on$ention on 0limate 0hange 6'(40007. .e also chaired the same 0on$entions 8ubsidiary Body on 9m%lementation 68B97, and, most recently, the Ad .oc Wor5ing Grou% on 4urther 0ommitments for Annex 9 Parties under the 3yoto Protocol 6AWG-3P7. :We only ha$e the %lanet we li$e on, and if we are to lea$e it in a reasonable state for the next generation, the ;uest for a safer, cleaner, and more e;uitable world is one that should consume us all,< he says, summing u% his %hiloso%hy. Mr. Ashe is also known for his abilities as a mediator. He successfully led negotiations that resulted in Chapter X of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation at the !! "orld #ummit for #ustainable $e%elopment &'io()!*+ and co,chaired the -. Conference on #ustainable $e%elopment &'io( !* in !) . In !!/ he presided o%er the thirteenth session of the -. Commission on #ustainable $e%elopment0 the body responsible for re%iewing programmes on the implementation of Agenda )1 a blueprint to rethink economic growth0 ad%ance social e2uity and ensure en%ironmental protection. A %eteran of the multilateral process0 in !!3 Mr. Ashe was elected to ser%e as Chairman of the .ew 4ork chapter of the 5roup of 66 and China0 the largest coalition of de%eloping nations in the -. system. He also chaired the 5eneral Assembly7s High,le%el Committee on #outh,#outh Cooperation0 the -.7s main policymaking body dedicated to furthering cooperation for de%elopment among the countries comprising the global #outh. "ell %ersed in the -.7s administrati%e and budgetary processes0 Mr. Ashe was Chairman of the -. 5eneral Assembly7s 8ifth Committee in !!/0 successfully guiding negotiations for the world body7s !!9, !!6 biennial budget. In addition0 he has ser%ed on the go%erning boards of ma:or -. funds and programmes0 including as President of the -. $e%elopment Programme &-.$P*;-. Population 8und &-.8PA*;-. <ffice for Pro:ect #er%ices &-.<P#* =>ecuti%e ?oard in !)!0 and as President of the -. Children7s 8und &-.IC=8* =>ecuti%e ?oard in !) . Ha%ing :oined his country7s 8oreign #er%ice in )@3@0 Mr. Ashe was awarded the Companion of the <rder of #t. Michael and #t. 5eorge &CM5* by Aueen =liBabeth II &-nited Cingdom* in !!60 in recognition of his global diplomatic ser%ice.

Mr. Ashe was born on ! August )@D/ in #t. John7s0 Antigua and ?arbuda0 and holds a $octorate in ?ioengineering from the -ni%ersity of Pennsyl%ania &-nited #tates*. He is married and has two children.

International Court of Justice Presidency

)he President and the =ice-President are elected by the -embers of the 0ourt e$ery three years by secret ballot. Ehe election is held on the date on which Members of the Court elected at a triennial election are to begin their terms of office or shortly thereafter. An absolute ma:ority is re2uired and there are no conditions with regard to nationality. Ehe President and the Fice,President may be re, elected. Ehe President presides at all meetings of the Court+ he/she directs its work and super%ises its administration0 with the assistance of a ?udgetary and Administrati%e Committee and of %arious other committees0 all composed of Members of the Court. $uring :udicial deliberations0 the President has a casting %ote in the e%ent of %otes being e2ually di%ided. In Ehe Hague0 where he/she is obliged to reside0 the President of the Court takes precedence o%er the doyen of the diplomatic corps. Ehe President recei%es a special supplementary allowance of )D0!!! dollars per annum0 in addition to hisGher annual salary. Ehe Fice,President replaces the President in his/her absence0 in the e%ent of his/her inability to e>ercise his/her duties0 or in the e%ent of a %acancy in the presidency. 8or this purpose he/she recei%es a daily allowance. In the absence of the Fice,President0 this role de%ol%es upon the senior :udge. <n 9 8ebruary !) the Court elected Judge Peter Eomka &#lo%akia* to be President and Judge ?ernardo #epHl%eda,Amor &Me>ico* to be Fice,President.
Members of the Court

Ehe International Court of Justice is composed of )D :udges elected to nine,year terms of office by the -nited .ations 5eneral Assembly and the #ecurity Council. Ehese organs %ote simultaneously but separately. In order to be elected0 a candidate must recei%e an absolute ma:ority of the %otes in both bodies. Ehis sometimes makes it necessary for a number of rounds of %oting to be carried out. In order to ensure a measure of continuity0 one third of the Court is elected e%ery three years. Judges are eligible for re,election. #hould a :udge die or resign during his or her term of office0 a special election is held as soon as possible to choose a :udge to fill the une>pired part of the term. =lections are held in .ew 4ork &-nited #tates of America* on the occasion of the annual autumn session of the 5eneral Assembly. Ehe :udges elected at a triennial election enter upon their term of office on 9 8ebruary of the following year0 after which the Court proceeds to elect by secret ballot a President and a Fice,President to hold office for three years.

All #tates parties to the #tatute of the Court ha%e the right to propose candidates. Ehese proposals are made not by the go%ernment of the #tate concerned0 but by a group consisting of the members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration &see History* designated by that #tate0 i.e. by the four :urists who can be called upon to ser%e as members of an arbitral tribunal under the Hague Con%entions of )3@@ and )@!6. In the case of countries not represented on the Permanent Court of Arbitration0 nominations are made by a group constituted in the same way. =ach group can propose up to four candidates0 not more than two of whom may be of its own nationality0 whilst the others may be from any country whatsoe%er0 whether a party to the #tatute or not and whether or not it has declared that it accepts the compulsory :urisdiction of the ICJ. Ehe names of candidates must be communicated to the #ecretary, 5eneral of the -nited .ations within a time,limit laid down by him/her. Judges must be elected from among persons of high moral character0 who possess the 2ualifications re2uired in their respecti%e countries for appointment to the highest :udicial offices0 or are :urisconsults of recogniBed competence in international law. Ehe Court may not include more than one national of the same #tate. Moreo%er0 the Court as a whole must represent the main forms of ci%iliBation and the principal legal systems of the world. In practice this principle has found e>pression in the distribution of membership of the Court among the principal regions of the globe. Eoday this distribution is as followsI Africa J0 Katin America and the Caribbean 0 Asia J0 "estern =urope and other #tates D0 =astern =urope 0 which corresponds to that of membership of the #ecurity Council. Although there is no entitlement to membership on the part of any country0 the Court has always included :udges of the nationality of the permanent members of the #ecurity Council. <nce elected0 a Member of the Court is a delegate neither of the go%ernment of his own country nor of that of any other #tate. -nlike most other organs of international organiBations0 the Court is not composed of representati%es of go%ernments. Members of the Court are independent :udges whose first task0 before taking up their duties0 is to make a solemn declaration in open court that they will e>ercise their powers impartially and conscientiously. In order to guarantee his or her independence0 no Member of the Court can be dismissed unless0 in the unanimous opinion of the other Members0 he/she no longer fulfils the re2uired conditions. Ehis has in fact ne%er happened. .o Member of the Court may engage in any other occupation during hisGher term. He/she is not allowed to e>ercise any political or administrati%e function0 nor to act as agent0 counsel or ad%ocate in any case. Any doubts with regard to this 2uestion are settled by decision of the Court. A Member of the Court0 when engaged on the business of the Court0 en:oys pri%ileges and immunities comparable with those of the head of a diplomatic mission. In Ehe Hague0 the President takes precedence o%er the doyen of the diplomatic corps0 after which precedence alternates between :udges and ambassadors. =ach Member of the Court recei%es an annual salary consisting of a base salary &which for !)! amounts to -#L)990D@9* and post ad:ustment0 with a special supplementary allowance of -#L)D0!!! for the President. Ehe post ad:ustment multiplier changes e%ery month and is dependent on the -. e>change rate between the -# $ollar and the =uro. <n lea%ing the Court0 they recei%e annual pensions which0 after a nine,year term of office0 amount to D! per cent of the annual base salary.

Although the Court is deemed to be permanently in session0 only its President is obliged to reside in Ehe Hague. Howe%er0 the other Members of the Court are re2uired to be permanently at its disposal e>cept during :udicial %acations or lea%e of absence0 or when they are pre%ented from attending by illness or other serious reasons. In practice0 the ma:ority of Court Members reside in Ehe Hague and all will normally spend the greater part of the year there.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

.ome About
o o o

Biogra%hy )he role of the 8ecretary-General A%%ointment %rocess

-ission
o o o o

=ision and %riorities Post-!"1> 2e$elo%ment Agenda 1thical 8tandards )rans%arency 6%ublic disclosure7

)he )eam
o o o o

2e%uty 8ecretary-General 8enior -anagement Grou% 8%ecial &e%resentati$es and en$oys 8enior ?e$el =acancies

2aily Agenda
o o o

Public schedule )ra$el Bilateral meetings 6readouts7

8%eeches@re%orts
o o o o o

All s%eeches 8elected s%eeches 6!""A B !"117 &e%orts on the wor5 of the *rgani+ation &e%orts to the 8ecurity 0ouncil &e%orts to the General Assembly

&e%orts to the 10*8*0

-edia
o o o o o o o o o

8%o5es%ersonCs *ffice Press encounters Press conferences 8tatements attributable to the 8%o5es%erson (otes to corres%ondents Press Articles@o%-eds Press releases Photos =ideos

BIOGRAPHY

?an Ci,moon is the eighth #ecretary,5eneral of the -nited .ations. His priorities ha%e been to mobiliBe world leaders around a set of new global challenges0 from climate change and economic uphea%al to pandemics and increasing pressures in%ol%ing food0 energy and water. He has sought to be a bridge,builder0 to gi%e %oice to the world7s poorest and most %ulnerable people0 and to strengthen the <rganiBation itself. MI grew up in warM0 the #ecretary,5eneral has said0 Mand saw the -nited .ations help my country to reco%er and rebuild. Ehat e>perience was a big part of what led me to pursue a career in public ser%ice. As #ecretary,5eneral0 I am determined to see this <rganiBation deli%er tangible0 meaningful results that ad%ance peace0 de%elopment and human rights.M Mr. ?an took office on ) January !!6. <n ) June !))0 he was unanimously re,elected by the 5eneral Assembly and will continue to ser%e until J) $ecember !)9. Highlights of his tenure includeI

Promoting sustainable development

<ne of the #ecretary,5eneral7s first ma:or initiati%es was the !!6 Climate Change #ummit0 followed by e>tensi%e diplomatic efforts that ha%e helped put the issue at the forefront of the global agenda. #ubse2uent efforts to focus on the world7s main anti,po%erty targets0 the Millennium $e%elopment 5oals0 ha%e generated more than L9! billion in pledges0 with a special emphasis on Africa and the new 5lobal #trategy on "omen7s and Children7s Health. At the height of the food0 energy and economic crises in !!30 the #ecretary,5eneral successfully appealed to the 5 ! for a L) trillion financing package for de%eloping countries and took other steps to guide the international response and protect the %ulnerable and poor.
Empowering women

Ehe #ecretary,5eneral pressed successfully for the creation of -. "omen0 a ma:or new agency that consolidates the -.7s work in this area. His ad%ocacy for women7s rights and gender e2uality has also included the M-nite to =nd Fiolence against "omenM campaign0 the M#top 'ape .owM initiati%e0 the creation of a M.etwork of Men KeadersM and the establishment of a new #pecial 'epresentati%e on #e>ual Fiolence in Conflict. "ithin the -. itself0 the #ecretary,5eneral has increased the number of women in senior management positions by more than /! per cent0 reaching the highest le%el in the <rganiBation7s history.
Supporting countries facing crisis or instability

Ehe #ecretary,5eneral has sought to strengthen -. peace efforts0 including through the .ew HoriBons peacekeeping initiati%e0 the 5lobal 8ield #upport #trategy and the Ci%ilian Capacity 'e%iew0 a package of steps to impro%e the impact of the ) !0!!! -nited .ations Mblue helmetsM operating in the world7s conflict Bones. A mediation support unit0 along with new capacity to carry out the #ecretary, 5eneral7s good offices0 ha%e been set up to help pre%ent0 manage and resol%e tensions0 conflicts and crises. Accountability for %iolations of human rights has recei%ed high,le%el attention through in2uiries related to 5aBa0 5uinea0 Pakistan and #ri Kanka0 legal processes in Kebanon and Cambodia0 and ad%ocacy for the Mresponsibility to protect0M the new -nited .ations norm aimed at pre%ent and halt genocide and other gra%e crimes. He has also sought to strengthen humanitarian response in the aftermath of mega,disasters in Myanmar & !!3*0 Haiti & !)!* and Pakistan & !)!*0 and mobiliBed -. support for the democratic transitions in .orth Africa and the Middle =ast.
Generating new momentum on disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation

Ehe #ecretary,5eneral has sought to re:u%enate the disarmament agenda through a fi%e,point plan0 efforts to break the deadlock at the Conference on $isarmament and renewed attention to nuclear safety and security in the aftermath of the tragedy at the 8ukushima $aiichi .uclear Power Plant.
Strengthening the U

Ehe #ecretary,5eneralhas introduced new measures aimed at making the -nited .ations more transparent0 effecti%e and efficient. Ehese include heightened financial disclosure re2uirements0 compacts with senior managers0 harmoniBation of business practices and conditions of ser%ice0 the adoption of International Public #ector Accounting #tandards0 and continued in%estments in information technology and staff de%elopment.

Personal

Ehe #ecretary,5eneral was born in the 'epublic of Corea on )J June )@//. He recei%ed a bachelorNs degree in international relations from #eoul .ational -ni%ersity in )@6!. In )@3D0 he earned a masterNs degree in public administration from the Cennedy #chool of 5o%ernment at Har%ard -ni%ersity. At the time of his election as #ecretary,5eneral0 Mr. ?an was his countryNs Minister of 8oreign Affairs and Erade. His J6 years of ser%ice with the Ministry included postings in .ew $elhi0 "ashington $.C. and Fienna0 and responsibility for a %ariety of portfolios0 including 8oreign Policy Ad%iser to the President0 Chief .ational #ecurity Ad%iser to the President0 $eputy Minister for Policy Planning and $irector,5eneral of American Affairs. Mr. ?an7s ties to the -nited .ations date back to )@6D0 when he worked for the 8oreign MinistryNs -nited .ations $i%ision. Ehat work e>panded o%er the years0 with assignments that included ser%ice as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensi%e .uclear Eest ?an Ereaty <rganiBation and Chef de Cabinet during the 'epublic of CoreaNs !!), !! presidency of the -. 5eneral Assembly. Mr. ?an has also been acti%ely in%ol%ed in issues relating to inter,Corean relations. Ehe #ecretary,5eneral speaks =nglish0 8rench and Corean. He and his wife0 Madam 4oo &?an* #oon, taek0 whom he met in high school in )@9 0 ha%e one son0 two daughters and three grandchildren. #ince !!60 Mrs. ?an has de%oted her attention to women7s and children7s health0 including autism0 the elimination of %iolence against women0 and the campaign to pre%ent mother,to,child transmission of HIFGAI$#.

THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

=2ual parts diplomat and ad%ocate0 ci%il ser%ant and C=<0 the #ecretary,5eneral is a symbol of -nited .ations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the worldNs peoples0 in particular the poor and %ulnerable among them. Ehe current #ecretary,5eneral0 and the eighth occupant of the post0 is Mr. ?an Ci,moon of the 'epublic of Corea0 who took office on ) January !!6. Ehe Charter describes the #ecretary,5eneral as Mchief administrati%e officerM of the <rganiBation0 who shall act in that capacity and perform Msuch other functions as are entrustedM to him or her by the #ecurity Council0 5eneral Assembly0 =conomic and #ocial Council and other -nited .ations organs. Ehe Charter also empowers the #ecretary,5eneral to Mbring to the attention of the #ecurity Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and securityM. Ehese guidelines both define the powers of the office and grant it considerable scope for action. Ehe #ecretary,5eneral would fail if he did not take careful account of the concerns of Member #tates0 but he must also uphold the %alues and moral authority of the -nited .ations0 and speak and act for peace0 e%en at the risk0 from time to time0 of challenging or disagreeing with those same Member #tates. Ehat creati%e tension accompanies the #ecretary,5eneral through day,to,day work that includes attendance at sessions of -nited .ations bodies+ consultations with world leaders0 go%ernment officials0 and others+ and worldwide tra%el intended to keep him in touch with the peoples of the <rganiBationNs Member #tates and informed about the %ast array of issues of international concern that

are on the <rganiBationNs agenda. =ach year0 the #ecretary,5eneral issues a report on the work of the -nited .ations that appraises its acti%ities and outlines future priorities. Ehe #ecretary,5eneral is also Chairman of the -nited .ations #ystem Chief =>ecuti%es ?oard for Coordination &C=?*0 which brings together the =>ecuti%e Heads of all -. funds0 programmes and specialiBed agencies twice a year in order to further coordination and cooperation in the entire range of substanti%e and management issues facing the -nited .ations #ystem. <ne of the most %ital roles played by the #ecretary,5eneral is the use of his Mgood officesM ,, steps taken publicly and in pri%ate0 drawing upon his independence0 impartiality and integrity0 to pre%ent international disputes from arising0 escalating or spreading. =ach #ecretary,5eneral also defines his role within the conte>t of his particular time in office.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
)! March !)/ ; "ith tensions and mistrust growing in -kraine0 -nited .ations #ecretary,5eneral ?an Ci,moon today urged the international community to help the key actors calm the situation and work toward a durable and fair political solution0 ahead of closed,door #ecurity Council consultations on the crisis. OI am increasingly alarmed by the de%elopments in -kraine0P Mr. ?an said in a statement0 urging all sides to refrain from hasty actions and pro%ocati%e rhetoric. O'ecent e%ents in Crimea in particular ha%e only ser%ed to deepen the crisis0P he added. O#ince the beginning of this crisis0 I ha%e appealed to all parties to de,escalate tensions and to engage in direct and constructi%e dialogue in order to forge a peaceful way forward.P Ehe #ecretary,5eneral called on the international community7s support in those efforts0 stressing that a further deterioration of the situation Owould ha%e serious repercussions for the people of -kraine0 the region and the global community.P OI also continue to urge the rele%ant authorities to ensure that the human rights of all in -kraine are respected0 with particular attention to the rights and protection of minorities0P the -. chief said. OAt this crucial :uncture0 we cannot afford either miscalculations or inaction0P he cautioned0 underscoring that a resolution of the crisis must be found on the basis of -. Charter principles0 including the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the unity0 so%ereignty and territorial integrity of -kraine.

Kast week0 in a de%elopment the #ecretary,5eneral referred to as Oworrying and seriousP0 lawmakers in the autonomous -krainian region of Crimea %oted to :oin 'ussia and to hold a referendum on )9 March to %alidate the decision. Ehe mo%e came amid rising tensions in the region0 where additional 'ussian troops and armoured %ehicles ha%e been deployed0 and against the backdrop of the protests and %iolence that ha%e plagued -kraine since last .o%ember. Kater in the day0 following the #ecurity Council7s pri%ate meeting on -kraine0 #yl%ie Kucas0 Permanent 'epresentati%e of Ku>embourg0 which holds the )D,nation body7s presidency this month0 told reporters that it had heard a briefing on the latest de%elopments by the -. -nder,#ecretary, 5eneral for Political Affairs0 Jeffrey 8eltman. $uring the discussions0 which also included the Permanent 'epresentati%e of -kraine to the -nited .ations0 Council members0 she said0 reiterated their Ogra%e concern about the ongoing crisis0 emphasiBed once more the need for urgent de,escalation and reiterated the need for all parties to e>ercise ma>imum restraint and to refrain from actions and rhetoric which might further e>acerbate the situation or damage the atmosphere needed for genuine dialogue.P Ms. Kucas said the Council members stressed the need to find a solution to the crises on the basis of the -. Charter0 including peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the territorial integrity0 political independence and so%ereignty of -kraine. OA number of Council members stressed that the decision of the #upreme Council of Crimea to hold on )9 March a referendum on the status of Crimea is contrary to the Constitution of -kraine and therefore illegal0P she said0 adding that those members also welcomed the efforts of the <rganiBation for #ecurity and Cooperation in =urope &<#C=* and other international actors to establish a credible monitoring mechanism0 stressing the need for their unhindered access. Meanwhile0 -. Assistant #ecretary,5eneral for Human 'ights I%an Qimono%ic continues his mission to -kraine. Ehe #ecretary,5eneral had asked him to tra%el to the -kraine urgently to mark the continued high, le%el engagement of the -. with the country0 to assess the human rights situation0 and to de%elop recommendations for further action. Mr. Qimono%ic has held numerous meetings0 including with the acting 8oreign Minister0 the <mbudsperson0 the diplomatic community in Cyi%0 international organiBations and ci%il society representati%es. He will tra%el to Charki% this e%ening0 and plans to go to Crimea and K%i% after that. Mr. Qimono%ic and his delegation intend to stay in -kraine until )D March.

8yrian %ro-reform acti$ists demonstrate in front of the '( building in Beirut, ?ebanon, -ay !"11. 1PA@W. .am+eh

"ith human rights %iolations at the heart of the #yrian crisis0 the -. has called for an immediate end to %iolence+ release of political prisoners+ impartial in%estigations to end impunity0 ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to :ustice+ and reparations for the %ictims.

#tatements R press releases Country page Independent International Commission of In2uiry on #yria