Antonio Guterres: I will serve most vulnerable as UN chief

Antonio Guterres, the man formally nominated to be the next UN secretary general, says he plans to “serve the most vulnerable”. The former Portuguese prime minister said he felt both “gratitude and humility” by the appointment.

He said he would serve the “victims of conflicts, of terrorism, rights violations, poverty and injustices of this world”.

Mr Guterres was unanimously nominated by the UN Security Council on Thursday.

The UN General Assembly is expected to meet next week to approve his five-year appointment.

The 67-year-old, who led the UN refugee agency for 10 years, will take over from Ban Ki-moon early next year.

He paid tribute to Ban Ki-moon and called on UN members states to “strongly support him in his actions and his initiatives” in his final months in office.

“Humility [is what I feel] about the huge challenges ahead of us, the terrible complexity of the modern world. But it is also humility that is required to serve the most vulnerable, victims of conflicts, of terrorism, rights violations, poverty and injustices of this world”.

Moral authority

Speaking earlier, Mr Ban, 72, described Mr Guterres as a “superb choice” to succeed him in the role.

“His experience as Portuguese prime minister, his wide knowledge of world affairs, and his lively intellect will serve him well in leading the United Nations in a crucial period,” Mr Ban told reporters during a visit to Rome.

His appointment was also welcomed by The Elders, an independent group of global leaders started by Nelson Mandela but now chaired by former Secretary General Kofi Annan.

“I am delighted by the outcome of the Council’s selection process,” Mr Annan said. “Antonio Guterres is a highly-qualified candidate who is well-prepared for the many daunting challenges he faces.

“He will need the firm support of the Security Council as well as the wider membership of the United Nations to help him fulfill his mandate in these challenging times.”

UM– USEKE.RW