Ban Ki-moon was the eighth United Nations’ Secretary-General

When Ban Ki-moon was chosen to serve as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2006, he had to carry on the legacy of Kofi Annan and other significant leaders in international politics. His top priority has been to rally world leaders around a number of new issues, such as climate change, economic instability, pandemics, and mounting demands for food, energy, and water. He has worked to develop the organization as a whole, build bridges, and provide a voice to the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.

The Secretary-General has stated, "I grew up in a time of conflict and seen how the UN assisted my country in healing and rebuilding. That encounter played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career in public service. As Secretary-General, I'm committed to seeing our Organization produce real, significant outcomes that advance human rights, development, and peace."

Despite the difficulty of the undertaking, he was able to win the election by receiving all of the votes from the UN council. Throughout his tenure as Secretary-General, he was really loved. He was so well-liked in fact that in 2011, he won reelection for his second and last term, which he served in until December 31st, 2016. As he got older and desired to spend more time with his close family, he stated at the time that he intended to retire from the world and public life.