U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is confident about his re-election as chief of the multinational body, saying "assessments by the international community are very positive."
In an interview with South Korean correspondents here in eastern France Tuesday, local time, Ban said he will express his intent to return as U.N. secretary general "when the appropriate opportunity comes" and added the international community is on the same page with what the U.N. has done under his watch.
"It's difficult to quantify what (I've done as secretary general) over almost four years, but I think that I've been successful," said Ban, who was visiting France for a speech at the European Parliament here. His term as secretary general ends in 2011.
"During my tenure, I've placed responses to climate change on the international agenda and have put in a lot of work fighting poverty and preventing diseases," the former South Korean foreign minister said. "The world views them as accomplishments of the secretary general. The international community should continue to pursue these problems and, hypothetically speaking, if I have the opportunity (after re-election), it'd help display my political capabilities."
But as for any domestic political ambitions, Ban reiterated that he has no intention of running for South Korean president. Last month, Park Jie-won, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), said in an interview with a local paper that it was "possible" that the DP would bring Ban on board as its presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.
The secretary general was also rumored last year to be the potential opposition candidate but he has denied any interest in South Korean politics.
"I already made myself clear last year and nothing has changed," Ban said.As another accomplishment during his term, Ban said the number of high-ranking female officials at the U.N. rose from six to 16.
Looking ahead to the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in Seoul on Nov. 11-12, Ban expressed his "great sense of pride" as a South Korean, as the country "has given itself an important platform to act as the bridge between developed and developing countries."
"The international community has given South Korea high marks on its developmental agenda, and the G-20 Summit in Seoul has major international and political implications," Ban said.
He also urged South Korean youths to join international agencies and "broaden their international perspectives."
"In an age of globalization, national boundaries are no longer important," Ban said. "You have to look beyond the confines of Korea and Asia, broaden your perspective on the world, and develop academic talents to work at international organizations."
Ban noted that during his address to the European Parliament, he was applauded when he brought up human rights abuses inflicted upon underprivileged classes. That, he said, proves that the European Parliament is in full support of the U.N.'s position and that the U.N. is maintaining complementary relations with the European Union and African Union, among other regional bodies.
Ban said he has been especially touched by shows of support during his visits to less privileged countries.
"I was really moved when people in developing countries recognized me and called out my name," he said. "Whenever I saw that, I thought to myself, 'I have to work even harder for them.'"