South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon is set to be formally appointed the eighth UN secretary general at the world body's General Assembly meeting on Friday succeeding Kofi Annan who retires after two five-year terms on December 31.

UN Assembly President Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa of Bahrain consulted with the chairpersons of the 192-member body's regional groups on the date for the appointment of Ban, a seasoned diplomat with lengthy UN experience who was chosen by acclamation by the 15-member Security Council on Monday as its nominee for the post.

Ban, who earlier in his diplomatic career served in his country's mission to the UN and in 2001 was Chef de Cabinet to the then Assembly president Han Seung-soo of South Korea is meeting with member states ahead of his formal election.

The last four secretary-generals were appointed by the Assembly through a resolution adopted by consensus.

A vote will take place only if a member state requests it and a simple majority of those voting would be required for the Assembly to adopt the resolution.

But the Assembly could decide that the decision requires a two-thirds majority. If a vote is taken, it will be by secret ballot.