U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday renewed his pledge to “lead by example” with great determination to help the world body tackle a set of new global challenges from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics.

Ban is in Seoul for a six-day official visit to his native South Korea, the first trip since he was elected to a second five-year term as U.N. leader in June.

“Over the past four and a half years, I tried to lead by example with determination and the highest ethical standards as the U.N. secretary-general,” Ban told hundreds of local diplomats in a meeting.

“I will continue to fulfill these pledges over the next five and a half years,” Ban said, describing his job as a “bridge-builder” in the new, interconnected world.

Promoting sustainable development, empowering women, tackling climate change and strengthening the U.N. will be among his priorities for his second term, Ban said.

To achieve the goals, Ban emphasized that the world must work together.

“I am sure you have all heard the saying, ‘united we stand, divided we fall,’” he said.

“No single country or group of countries, no matter how powerful they may be, can take on the major issues of the day alone,” Ban said. “In an era when challenges spill over borders and have global reach, our future depends on how well we work together.”

Ban urged world leaders to “unite to overcome climate change, and create a greener, more sustainable world for all.”

He will submit a report on his top priorities for his second term to the U.N. General Assembly in September, Ban said. 

(Yonhap News)