The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said goodbye to people at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on Friday.
Ban Ki-moon will step down today after leading the global organization for the past 10 years.
The former Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, was selected as the new UN Secretary-General. He will assume office on 1 January 2017.
Meanwhile, the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump observes that the United Nations has become a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.
[ Can New Chief António Guterres Make UN a Relevant Outfit? ]
Trump was referring to the UN Security Council resolution about the establishment of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.
The resolution decrees that the Israeli settlements have no legal validity, and they constitute a flagrant violation under international law. The resolution also observed that the settlements are a major obstacle to a two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
[ Can Trump Protect Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territory? ]
For his last day in office, Mr. Ban will serve as a special guest today at the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. He will be joined by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to push the Waterford crystal button and lead the sixty second countdown to the New Year.
Mr. Ban began his first term as Secretary-General on 1 January 2007, and was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly to a second term on 21 June 2011.
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