The United Nations (UN) Security Council has formally endorsed former Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, to serve as the next UN Secretary-General in a resolution passed by consensus on Thursday.
The official nomination, which now needs to be approved by the UN General Assembly, comes one day after the 15-member council agreed in a secret straw poll.
Vitaly Churkin, Russian ambassador to the UN and current president of the council said that the assembly voted that Guterres was its favourite for the top UN post from a field of 13 candidates.
“The Security Council recommends to the General Assembly that Guterres should be appointed as the Secretary-General of the UN for a term of office from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021,’’ he said.
Matthew Rycroft, British Ambassador to the UN, before the council’s meeting said “Guterres won this race because he was the best candidate in this race”.
Guterres will succeed current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, whose term at the helm of the UN will end this year after 10 years.
Meanwhile, Ki-moon has described Guterres as “a superb choice” for the job.
“I know Guterres very well and consider him a superb choice,” Ban said after talks in Rome with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
The new UN chief has “deep compassion,” ability to work “around the clock,” a “wide knowledge of world affairs” and a “lively intellect,” Ban said.
The outgoing secretary-general looked back at his record and at the looming entry into force of the Paris Climate Agreement.
“Climate change has been my top priority throughout my 10 years in office,” he said.
Ban listed strengthening peace operations, achieving sustainable development, upholding human rights and easing humanitarian suffering as challenges for Guterres, whose nomination dashes hopes of the UN picking its first-ever female leader.
“As the ninth man to serve as secretary general, Guterres has a special responsibility to include, support and empower world’s women and girls,” said Ban.
