Ban congratulates General Assembly President-elect
5 June 2008 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua on his election as President
of the 63rd session of the General Assembly.
The 75-year-old former Nicaraguan foreign minister was elected by acclamation by United Nations Member States in the
192-member Assembly yesterday.
Mr. Ban "looks forward to working closely with Mr. d'Escoto throughout the next session of the General Assembly in
bringing UN Member States together to respond effectively to the global challenges on its agenda, which are critically
important to the lives of people around the world," his spokesperson said in a statement.
Mr. d'Escoto will take up his post on 16 September, when the Assembly begins its 63rd session. He will succeed Srgjan
Kerim.
Yesterday, after being elected, he told the Assembly that it was vital for Member States to work together on goals
ranging from the maintenance of peace and security to the battle to eradicate poverty and hunger to ensure that the UN
lives up to its name.
ENDS