(VOVworld) – The UN Security Council has elected Portugal’s former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres as the next UN Secretary General from January 1, 2017 to replace Ban Ki-moon.
Antonio Guterres was Spain’s Prime Minister from 1995 to 2002. He was president of the European Council from January to July 2000 and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees between June 2005 and December 2015. If nothing changes, he will take the post of UN Secretary General on January 1, 2017.
Guterres is chosen as the next UN General Secretary because he met the expectation of a majority of UN member countries to resolve the flow of migrants and refugees to the EU and wider gap among countries. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Guterres was the “clear favorite” and the best among the candidates. UN Secretary General Ban said Guterres is a super choice to replace him to take the lead in resolving global challenges.
Analysts say Guterres will have to deal with several challenges including the widespread terrorism, migration crisis, violence in the Middle East, and reform the UN for better performance. He should show a long-term vision and wide strategy for peacekeeping missions, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian work.
At a UN debate for secretary-general candidates, Guterres said the UN plays a decisive role in bringing stability and happiness for people worldwide. Holding that dialogues and discussions are the key to success, Guterres said countries should improve diplomatic relations to resolve problems together. He said if he is elected, he will introduce a list of priorities that UN countries should do.
After 10 years in the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres has become an important figure in the field of migration. He has reduced the number of staff at the UNHCR’s main office and sent them to other hotspots of migration. He has carved legacy as a tireless refugee advocate to appeal for rich countries to do more for people who have been fleeing from conflicts and disasters worldwide.
Recently the UN has been criticized for unable to resolve big conflicts such as in Syria and Yemen and the migrant crisis. Guterres is expected to reinforce the UN’s position in the global political scene.