Ban Ki-moon is half way through his five years as UN secretary-general and has shown signs of wanting a second term.

However, this will be decided by the UN member states and many are unhappy with his low-key style.

While Ban has won praise for his commitment to promoting climate change initiatives and his efforts to reform the UN peacekeeping department, his critics argue that he is too unwilling to upset China over Sudan and Darfur, Russia over Georgia and Israel over Gaza.

Some are questioning whether his low-key style is the right formula for a second term in office.

We discuss the role of the UN secretary-general, his powers and his limitations.

We will also discuss his performance over the last two and half years. Compared to his predecessors, has he been successful?

Inside Story discusses with guests: Michele Montas, a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, Cherif Bassiouni, a former UN special representative and professor of law at Depaul University, and Mary Robinson, the former UN commissioner for Human Rights.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Wednesday, July 01, 2009.