The main contender to lead the United Nations expressed confidence Monday he could heal its rift with the United States and push through reforms to make the world body "promise less and deliver more."
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, in a telephone interview with AFP, also stressed the need for the UN to promote global development and protect victims of crimes against humanity.
Ban was speaking hours before the UN Security Council conducts a fourth informal "straw poll" on the successor to Kofi Annan as secretary general. He topped the previous three polls by a wide margin.
"I'm very anxious to see whether I can come out with the same level of support...I have been encouraged by the very strong and consistent level of support for my candidacy," he said.
Ban denied that the perception of him as a strong US ally would impede efforts to resolve issues such as the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programmes.
"That kind of notion is something like Cold War-era understanding. These days the authority and mandate of the secretary general comes from member states."
Ban said a good working relationship with Washington was desirable, but on specific issues he pledged to act as an impartial mediator.
"The US is a very important member state of the UN but the US also needs the UN. The US can work very closely with the UN in promoting its interests, promoting universal values.
"The UN needs very active participation and support from the US. Without this it may be very difficult for the UN to smoothly function."
Ban said his previous work with the world body equipped him to play "a very important harmonious coordinating role."
"I am confident I could heal the rift," he said.
The career diplomat said his mild-mannered and soft-spoken image belies an inner toughness.
"I may look soft from the outside but I have inner strength when it's really necessary. I've always been very decisive.
"In Asian countries humility is regarded as a virtue. Soft-speaking should in no way be regarded as a lack of leadership or commitment."
Ban, 62, said the most urgent issue confronting the UN was "management reform, regaining the trust and confidence of member states and major stakeholders."
He said its activities are overstretched because of the ineffective delivery of some services. "We need to consolidate, coordinate, reduce the overlap between agencies.
"We need to promise less and deliver more."
Ban urged smooth implementation of the millennium development goals to reduce poverty and said the UN's "three pillars" of peace and security, development and human rights are linked.
"Without development you can't ensure peace and stability. It is almost empty words to promote human rights when people have no food and live in abject poverty."
South Korea, which rose from the devastation of war to become the world's 11th largest economy, could play a bridging role, he said.
Ban also urged strong action to protect communities threatened by genocide.
"When a country is not able to protect its own people from crimes against humanity and genocide and prevents the international community from intervening on the excuse of sovereignty, the international community has a responsibility to protect those people from genocide," he said.
He said the Sudanese government must accept the Security Council resolution to deploy a peacekeeping mission in its Darfur region.
"It's very frustrating that the Sudanese government leaders oppose the deployment of blue helmets. I hope Security Council members take more resolute action on this matter."
Ban said he has no plans to sit up to hear the outcome of the fourth straw poll, after an intensive schedule of speeches and interviews. "I need a few hours' sleep."