The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has sent a letter of congratulations to the South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon on his election on 13 October as the United Nations Secretary General.
In the letter Kobia notes the Korean's "rich experience" as an international diplomat and civil servant, and ensures him of the Council's prayer and support.In particular, it was emphasised that reform of the United Nations was an "important task" that the new UN head would face.
The international community is concerned about "the urgency of carrying out these reforms" that will "no doubt receive your urgent attention and action," Kobia says in his 16 October letter.
The WCC general secretary reports that at its meeting in Brazil last February the WCC's principal governing body, the Assembly, called for "the ongoing participation of civil society organisations and faith communities in the work of the UN [...] as a means of encouraging transparency and accountability as well as of availing itself of essential expertise and information".
Religions and religious organisations play an important role "in addressing issues of security, human rights, development," and there is a "growing interplay between religion and politics," Kobia notes.
Kobia concludes his letter by evoking the possibility of an early meeting with the new UN head so as to be able to congratulate him in person, and also to "exchange views about how the WCC and its more than 340 member churches can assist and support you in your new responsibilities".
Both the UN and the WCC were created in the immediate post-World War II period. The WCC-in-formation helped to shape the UN Charter; the Council has been closely involved with the UN ever since its inception and, through its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), was among the first non-governmental organisations to be granted consultative status with the UN.
The full text of Kobia's letter is as follows:
