Ban Ki Moon Takes Over At UN

Ban Ki Moon officially took over the helm of the United Nations with the start of the New Year. He faces a long list of problems left over from Kofi Annan's tenure in the position.

In a speech after taking his oath of office Dec. 14, Ban said he will work to build "a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for succeeding generations."

His first priority, he said, will be to restore trust in the United Nations, whose reputation has been battered by the oil-for-food scandal in Iraq, corruption in the U.N.'s purchasing operations and sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers.

"I will seek to act as a harmonizer and bridge-builder," Ban said. "And I hope to become known … as a secretary-general who is accessible, hardworking, and prepared to listen attentively."

Ban officially became secretary-general at the stroke of midnight, but no official ceremony was scheduled.

Ban has a lot of cleanup to accomplish. Annan's corrupt, yet inefficient, mismanagement of the UN will take a lot to unravel. The UN could be a forces for good in the world, but only if very serious reforms are undertaken. It remains to be seen if the necessary steps can be taken to fix what is wrong there. At this point, odds are not good that enough can actually be done. Ban has a tough row to hoe.