Security Council pays tribute to outgoing UN chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (C, front) is seen during a meeting held by the United Nations Security Council to pay tribute to him at the UN headquarters in New York, Dec. 14, 2016. The UN Security Council on Wednesday paid tribute to outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, acknowledging his contribution to international peace, security and development. [Photo/Xinhua]

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Wednesday paid tribute to outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, acknowledging his contribution to international peace, security and development.

In a resolution adopted here, the 15-nation council expressed its deep appreciation to Ban "for his dedication to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter and to the development of friendly relations among nations."

Ban said it is a privilege to work with all Security Council members over the past 10 years, and urged the council to continue its work to advance early and preventive action for addressing conflicts.

Earlier on Wednesday, a portrait of Ban was unveiled at the UN headquarters by Ban himself and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek. The portrait is hanging on a wall at a lobby of the UN Secretariat building, next to the one of Kofi Anna, Ban's predecessor.

Ban is going to step down at the end of this month, concluding his ten-year service for the world body. His successor Antonio Guterres, former prime minister of Portugal and UN secretary-general-designate, will start his five-year term on Jan 1, 2017.