Development guru Jeffrey Sachs really, really likes Ban Ki-moon:
The world can breathe easier with the reelection this month of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to a second term in office. In a fractious world, global unity is especially vital. During the past five years, Ban Ki-moon has embodied that unity, both in his unique personal diplomacy and in his role as head of this indispensable global organization.
That’s not, let’s be honest, a universally-held view. Here’s Jim Traub of the NYT, interviewed by the BBC:
“Kofi Annan, by virtue of who he was and what he said, was able to make the UN a more important-feeling place,” says Mr Traub, “and I think people around the UN would say that Ban, by who he is and what he says, has made the UN a less important-feeling place.”
That’s not how Jeffrey feels:
During a recent trip with Ban to Egypt and Tunisia, I watched in awe as he deftly backed the democratic changes underway in those two countries while simultaneously dealing with many other upheavals in the region. Ban generously and inspiringly offered his support to the brave youth leaders in both countries who are at the forefront of the political changes set in motion this year.
Feel the love.
