New UN chief to make first address to Security Council

UNITED NATIONS, United States: - to the Security Council since taking more assertive diplomacy backed by world powers.

moon on January 1 with a pledge to shake up the world body and boost efforts to tackle global crises -- from the carnage in Syria to the bloodshed in South Sudan.

The former prime minister of a deeply divided Security Council which has been unable to take decisive action to end the war in Syria, now in its sixth year.

“The greatest shortcoming of the international community today is its failure to prevent -

- ing, we need mediation, arbitration and creative diplomacy backed by all countries with influence,” he added.

- ance at the council will be during by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot council presidency this month.

members will be represented at the out his action plan as the world’s diplomat-in-chief.

Among the expected changes is a more hands-on approach from the new secretary general, in what is seen as a shift from Ban who left most of the mediation to his special envoys.

Trouble from Trump ?

is the question mark hanging over the foreign policy of the new US administration under Presidentelect Donald Trump.

phone last week and the conversation “very positive” after the president-elect dismissed the world body as “just a club for people to get together and have a good time.”

After the council voted to demand an end to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, Trump be different after Jan. 20th” when

has stressed the need to reform the could win over the new leadership

In particular, he has ordered sexual abuse by peacekeepers -- a move that will likely please US Republicans who complain loudly

talks and to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose support for the United

One of the leading contributors of peacekeeping troops, -