Ban Ki-moon is capable of handling the many challenges facing the United Nations in his new position of UN secretary-general, according to senior UN diplomats.

Jin Yongjian, President of the Chinese UN Association (UNA), said at the International Forum on UN Reform on Thursday that the biggest challenge for Ban is to help the United Nations play a bigger role in international affairs, maintain international security and stability and promote economic and social development.

Ban is facing a very tough task as the United Nations still has a lot to do with regards to security and development issues, but I believe Ban, as an experienced diplomat, is capable of handling them, Jin said.

Jin, also under UN secretary-general for more than five years, believes Ban is a typical East Asian - gentle in appearance but inwardly resolute.

Sun Jong-yung, Vice President of the UNA of the Republic of Korea (ROK), once worked with Ban as ROK ambassador to the UN for one year. Sun described the ROK foreign minister as a friendly and experienced diplomat who gets on well with other people.

Ban's good relationships with leaders of other countries, established during his term as ROK foreign minister, was a major factor in his nomination as secretary-general and will help his future work in the UN, Sun said.

He added that Ban will also be capable of playing a more balanced role between developed countries and developing countries, since the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are two countries at different stages of development.

Both senior diplomats hoped Ban could handle such issues as the relations between world powers and the United Nations, the relations between the United Nations and non-government organizations, the efficiency of the United Nations and the hot topics of the Korean nuclear issue, Iran nuclear issue and Sudan.

Sun said he hopes Ban can promote the peaceful resolution of the Korean nuclear issue.

The two-day forum, co-sponsored by the Chinese and Swedish UNA, has attracted over 80 officials from the Chinese government, UNA of some countries, UN organizations and foreign embassies to China as well as some scholars.

Source: Xinhua