Ban Ki-moon: UN Secretary-General Overview

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

South Korean diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016, overseeing the Paris Agreement and SDGs.
When did Ban Ki-moon serve as UN Secretary-General?
What was his role before joining the UN?
What are his signature achievements as Secretary-General?

Leaders & ThinkersUpdated June 22, 2026

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1 January 2007
Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from to 31 December 2016, succeeding Kofi Annan and…
31 December 2016
Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1 January 2007 to , succeeding Kofi Annan and pr…

Research it like a delegate

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In December 2015, Ban Ki-moon presided over the adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21, calling it a "monumental triumph for people and our planet."

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Timeline

1 January 2007

Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from to 31 December 2016, succeeding Kofi Annan and…

31 December 2016

Ban Ki-moon is a South Korean diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1 January 2007 to , succeeding Kofi Annan and pr…

Research it like a delegate

Before leading the UN, Ban served as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (2004–2006) under President Roh Moo-hyun. His diplomatic career inside South Korea's foreign ministry spanned nearly four decades and included postings in New Delhi, Washington, and Vienna, as well as roles tied to inter-Korean dialogue and the UN General Assembly presidency staff.

As Secretary-General, Ban's tenure is most closely associated with:

Climate diplomacy, culminating in the adoption of the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC in December 2015, which he championed personally and pushed for rapid entry into force in 2016.
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015, replacing the Millennium Development Goals.
Advancing the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and the Human Rights Up Front initiative launched in 2013 after criticism of the UN's conduct in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war.
Responses to crises in Syria, Darfur, Haiti (including the cholera outbreak, for which he issued a public apology in 2016), Myanmar, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

He also drew scrutiny over the pace of UN reform, allegations regarding the Saudi-led coalition's listing in the children-and-armed-conflict report (2016), and perceptions of a cautious public style.

After leaving office, Ban briefly considered a 2017 South Korean presidential bid before withdrawing. He has since chaired the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna, the Elders group (succeeding Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson as chair in 2019), and the Global Center on Adaptation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Ban Ki-moon serve as UN Secretary-General?

He served two five-year terms from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016.

What was his role before joining the UN?

He was a career South Korean diplomat and served as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea from 2004 to 2006.

What are his signature achievements as Secretary-General?

The 2015 adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.