UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday paid tribute to Apple co-founder and long-time CEO Steve Jobs who died from pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, saying he was a "truly global force."

In a brief statement released by his spokesperson, Ban said " Steve Jobs was unlike any other."

"He saw what others did not," Ban said. "He believed above all else in the power of human ingenuity -- to create 'tools' that people could use, that would not only improve our lives but, quite literally, change the world. He was a truly global force."

Jobs took a medical leave earlier this year, the third in his battle with pancreatic cancer that began in 2004. On Aug. 24, he stepped down as Apple CEO.

In a career that spans four decades, Jobs has revolutionized computers, animated movies and the music industry, turning his personality into a business philosophy which is praised and worshipped by fans, entrepreneurs and political figures around the world.

Under the leadership of Jobs, Apple returned to glory and withstood the Internet bubble at the beginning of the century as well as the financial meltdown in recent years with its extremely popular consumer electronic products like iPod, iPhone and iPad by emphasizing design and aesthetics play.

In August, Apple temporarily surpassed Exxon Mobil to become the world's most valuable company.