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United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses his staff on his last day at
the U.N. headquarters, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Ban Ki-moon joked to
hundreds of diplomats and U.N. staff as he left United Nations headquarters
Friday for the last time as secretary-general that he feels "like
Cinderella — tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."
Associated
Press report continues:
Flanked
by the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the native
South Korean thanked U.N. workers for their hard work and commitment over the
course of his 10-year tenure, which ends at midnight Dec. 31.
"Tomorrow
night on the eve of the new year, I'll be in Times Square for the ball drop.
Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he said with a
broad smile.
He
told his colleagues he had two words for them: "Thank You."
As
the top U.N. official over the last decade, Ban fostered a global agreement to
combat climate change and new U.N. goals to combat poverty and inequality.
However, he leaves amid continuing conflicts from Syria and Yemen to South
Sudan and Libya.
Ban
urged staff members to stay focused on advancing U.N. development goals and
working to address issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.
"Keep
the focus on people — on people's rights and people's dignity," he told
them.
Ban
will be succeeded by former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, who
begins a five-year term on Sunday.
Ban
was thronged by U.N. staff as he made his way out of United Nations
headquarters for the last time. At the top of the escalator leading out of the
building, a line of staffers held up signs saying "We We Love Love You You
SG and Madam," using the initials for secretary-general and paying tribute
to his wife Yoo Soon-taek.
At
the bottom, a line of top U.N. officials said farewell, many receiving hugs
from Ban.
The
visibly emotional secretary-general, when asked about the sendoff before
walking out the door and getting into his car, said: "It's very moving.
I'm so grateful for the support and friendship that they have shown me. ... I'm
honored to have served this great organization."
Ban returns to South Korea amid widespread speculation he will be a candidate to replace the country's president, who has been impeached.
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