NEW YORK - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support Afghanistan’s progress towards peace, stability and development, as he congratulated Hamid Karzai on his inauguration as President for a second term.

“He welcomes the commitment of President Karzai to serve all Afghans, to fight corruption and to bring increased good governance, security and services to the country,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“In pursuance of realizing these goals concretely, the United Nations looks forward to working with President Karzai and his Government, the people of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’s international partners,” the statement added.

Mr. Ban sent his best wishes to the President and to the people of Afghanistan at this “critical juncture in their history” and reaffirmed the UN’s determination to support the country’s peace and development efforts.

Mr. Karzai was re-elected after his opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from the presidential run-off that had been planned for 7 November.

On a visit to Afghanistan earlier this month, Mr. Ban urged Mr. Karzai to ensure good governance, “including the eradication of corruptive practices prevalent in Afghanistan, controlling drug trafficking and forming a unity government with experienced ministers and government officials.”

In addition, he has pledged that last month’s attack on a guest house in the capital, Kabul, which killed five UN staff and injured nine others, will not deter the world body from its mission to help the Afghan people build a better future.

The Secretary-General was represented at today’s inauguration ceremony by his Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), Kai Eide.