MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, current Prime Minister John Key confirmed Clark's nomination for the highest UN office by New Zealand government.
"I'm running for Secretary-General because I believe that… I can offer the style of leadership which is needed today. And which will help the United Nations meet the very serious challenges which lie ahead," Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said, as quoted by The New Zealand Herald.
She added that the position of UN Secretary-General was about "giving a voice for the world's seven billion plus people."
A new secretary general of the United Nations should be elected in 2016, as Ban’s tenure is due to end on December 31, 2016.
Clark became the eighth candidate in the race to succeed Ban, joining UNESCO head Irina Bokova and former Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic among others.