The United Nations General Assembly on Friday appointed with acclamation South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the world body's next secretary-general to succeed Kofi Annan when he steps down on Dec. 31.

The General Assembly adopted a resolution on his appointment after Japanese Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Security Council President for October, reported to the Assembly on the Council's recommendation of Ban.

Ban's election was not a surprise for many officials in the world body, but his sweeping victory within 70 days, forcing the other six candidates to drop out of the race early, leaving himself the only candidate available for the post, did astonish those who had expected the competition for the post to be long and fierce.

This however, demonstrates the overall competence of the veteran diplomat with 36 years of service. Being described as "an ardent internationalist with a self-effacing manner and a poker-champion's steady mien", Ban is famous for being competent in dealing with international and diplomatic affairs, especially in his relations with North Korea, and for being broad minded, evenhanded, and cautious.

His reputation and the strong support from the UN Security Council has given people hope that Ban would enjoy an effective five-year term as the UN chief. Analysts predict that Ban's election would give him more space and freedom in dealing with UN internal and external affairs, attract more international cooperation, and, benefiting from his diplomatic background, the UN would hopefully participate more widely and deeply in international affairs in the future.

However, as every coin has two sides, while the perfect beginning for Ban has given him broad and powerful endorsement, his new role brings with it several major challenges.

First, the priority for Ban is to earn the trust of a spectrum of UN member states, and to establish a strong image as the UN chief.

Soft-spoken, gentle and modest as a typical Asian diplomat, Ban is famous for getting along with his fellow colleagues and other officials. Yet his gentle manner raises some doubt as to whether he will be tough enough when necessary, to deal with serious international disputes or when facing strong disagreements.

To answer these doubts, Ban used to say that Asia is a region where modesty is a virtue. But such modesty is about demeanor, not about vision and goals. It does not mean the lack of commitment or leadership. Rather, it involves quiet determination in action to get things down without so much fanfare, he explained.

In spite of obtaining overwhelming support from the UN Security Council, the name of Ban Ki-moon is still not familiar enough among other UN member states, especially those outside of Asia. The new UN chief-to-be needs to prove his competence fast.

As the chief, Ban will oversee an organization with 17,000 staff, some 92,000 peacekeepers around the world, and an annual budget of five billion US dollars. Famed for his diplomatic experience and skills, Ban is comparatively weak on administrative tasks, making his future orchestration of the world body and its ongoing reforms a major concern to many countries.

Secondly, when he formally takes the seat from Kofi Annan on Jan. 1st, 2007, the restoration of the tarnished reputation of the United Nations and the implementation of the ongoing reforms will be among the first major tasks awaiting Ban.

During Annan's 10-year rule, the UN's role has been expanded and given a higher profile. However, the organization is also saddled by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, while many world leaders believe its most powerful organ, the Security Council, must be revamped to reflect the realities of 2006 and not 1945, when it was created. UN detractors, and even some supporters, are demanding significant change.

The reforms within the UN launched by Annan have also been criticized by some as being sluggish and relatively ineffective.

How to negotiate among UN member states, to further boost the slow reforms to regenerate the old world body, to improve the efficiency of UN departments, and to polish its tarnished reputation, all combine to present an urgent and important agenda lying on Ban's table.

During his speeches in response to the announcement of his appointment, Ban has reiterated his determination to carry on the UN reforms, and to realize the three core goals of the organization: peace and security, development, and human rights.

Thirdly, how to enhance the UN's work, and strengthen multilateral diplomacy will be another major task for Ban.

Since the "9.11" tragedy, the international community has relied more heavily on multilateralism, thus making the UN an even more important international organization when tackling international issues, and the role of the secretary-general an even more significant one.

As a senior diplomat, Ban frequently expressed the hope that the UN would participate more actively in international affairs, and he has said that when he became secretary-general, he would personally put more energy into the body's political and diplomatic missions, mediating international disputes in a more active and neutral manner, while leaving most of the administrative work to the deputy secretary general.

However, one of the most important UN member states, the United States has clearly expressed the expectation that Ban would focus more on the UN's internal administration and its lagging reforms, rather than taking on the role of a worldwide "fireman". How Ban can balance his own ambition and the expectations of the US is yet another challenge.

Finally, although the US has given Ban its major support to help him win the post, it doesn't necessarily mean that the only super power in the world would allow the UN chief to "do whatever he wants".

Conflicts have occurred frequently in recent years between the US, which cherishes unilateralism, and the UN which promotes multilateralism. How to deal with the vital relationship between the UN and the US is another complicated and sensitive issue for the new UN chief-to-be to take up.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2006)