The Security Council announced today that it is recommending to the General Assembly that Ban Ki-moon be appointed to a second consecutive term as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In a closed-door meeting this morning at UN Headquarters in New York, the Council’s 15 members adopted by acclamation a resolution on extending Mr. Ban’s time in office.

The Council recommended that Mr. Ban serve a second term starting on 1 January 2012 and ending on 31 December 2016, Ambassador Nelson Messone of Gabon, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, told journalists.

Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Security Council makes a recommendation and then the General Assembly makes a decision on the appointment. The consistent practice is that the Council recommends one candidate.

Earlier this month Mr. Ban, who has been in office since January 2007 and is the eighth UN Secretary-General, said he would be “deeply honoured” to serve a second term.