The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announced
on Thursday the nomination of Ashraf Ghani, former Finance Minister
of Afghanistan, as the candidate for the next Secretary-General of
the United Nations.
The Afghan government believes that Ashraf Ghani is "uniquely
equipped to lead the United Nations at time when imagination and
leadership are required in both security and development," said a
government press release.
With experience at the frontlines of conflict and poverty, Ghani
stands at the intersection of Islam and the West with the capacity
to bring the world together at a time of growing religious and
geographical tension, according to the press release.
Ghani, currently chancellor of Kabul University, served as
Afghanistan's finance minister. Before that he worked for the World
Bank in Asia, spending 10 years working in China, India and Russia.
"He is therefore particularly sensitive to the opportunities
presented by the world's emerging economies," the press release
said.
The Afghan government encourage members of the United Nations to
support Ghani's nomination to become the next Secretary-General,
the press release added.
The term of current UN Secretary-Genera Kofi Annan expires on
Dec. 31. He has served two five-year terms and cannot serve again.
According to UN tradition, the next Secretary-General should come
from Asia, though the United States and some other countries argue
the race should be wide open.
(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)
