Secretary-General congratulates barack Obama on inauguration as United States

president; says ‘our goals are shared’, new era of strong partnership ahead

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was issued today in New York:

It is with great optimism that I congratulate Barack Obama on his inauguration as the forty-fourth President of the United States.

More than ever before, the challenges we face as a community of nations are global in scope.  Economic uncertainty.  Climate change.  Pressing issues of peace and security, including disarmament and non-proliferation.  The multiple crises of food, energy and human development.  By their nature, these are issues that require strong and collective responses.

President Obama was explicit in committing his Administration to tackling all of these problems, urgently and decisively.  He spoke of the need to “harness the sun, the winds and soil to fuel our cars and run our factories”.  He expressed his determination to “roll back the spectre of a warming planet” with a more sustainable, responsible United States energy policy.  He vowed to work with developing nations to “make farms flourish and let clean water flow, to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds”.

This is also the work of the United Nations.  Our goals are shared.  Together, the United States of America and the United Nations can look forward to a new era of strong and effective partnership, delivering results and the change we need.

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For information media • not an official record