Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption New UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says ending the conflict in Syria is his top priority

Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres has been officially appointed as the next UN secretary-general.

He will become the world's top diplomat on 1 January when Ban Ki-moon's second five-year term ends.

Mr Guterres, 67, who led the UN refugee agency UNHCR for 10 years, was chosen from among 13 candidates last week.

He told the BBC that ending the civil war in Syria would be his biggest challenge.

"I believe it is the international community's first priority is to be able to end this conflict and use this momentum created by it to try to address all the other conflicts that are interlinked," he told the BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

He said the world was facing a dangerous time and he wanted to see people across the globe working together to achieve a safer future.

"I hope people will understand that it's better to put aside different opinions, different interests and to understand that there is a common, vital interest to put an end to these conflicts, because that is absolutely central if you want to live in a world where a minimum of securities are established, where people can live a normal life," he said.

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Mr Guterres, who trained as an engineer, entered politics in 1976 in Portugal's first democratic election after the "Carnation Revolution" that ended five decades of dictatorship.

As head of the UNHCR refugee agency from 2005 to 2015, he led the agency through some of the world's worst refugee crises, including those in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

During that time, he repeatedly appealed to Western states to do more to help refugees fleeing the conflicts.

Mr Guterres' nomination came despite a concerted effort to appoint the UN's first female secretary general. Of the 13 candidates, seven were women, among them Unesco director-general Irina Bokova from Bulgaria, and Helen Clark, 66, a former prime minister of New Zealand and current head of the UN development programme.

Mr Guterres told the general assembly: "The dramatic problems of today's complex world can only inspire a humble approach. One in which the secretary general alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views.

"One in which the secretary general makes his good offices available, working as a convenor, a mediator, a bridge-builder and an honest broker to help find the solutions that benefit everyone involved."

Image copyright AFP Image caption Mr Guterres will become the world's top diplomat on 1 January

Mr Ban told the assembly that his successor was well-known in diplomatic circles as a man of compassion.

"He is perhaps best known where it counts most - on the frontlines of armed conflict and humanitarian suffering," Mr Ban said.

"His political instincts are those of the United Nations - co-operation for the common good and shared responsibility for people and the planet."

What does a UN secretary-general do?

The Security Council - with five of its members wielding vetos - is the most powerful body in the UN.

While not as powerful, the secretary-general serves as the organisation's top diplomat and chief "administrative officer".

It has been described as the most impossible job in the world, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale. The secretary-general has to run an unwieldy bureaucracy and manage the competing demands of the world's big powers, he adds.

A key requisite of the role is to step in both publicly and privately to prevent international disputes from escalating. The post lasts for five years and is limited to a maximum of two terms.</s>UNITED NATIONS—The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday officially appointed António Guterres of Portugal as its next secretary-general as he pledged to combat terrorism and extremism while also fighting “xenophobia” and populism.

The 193-member General Assembly voted by acclamation after the Security Council last week nominated Mr. Guterres for the post following straw polls that showed him leading a dozen other candidates.

Mr....</s>The 193-member United Nations General Assembly appointed former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres on Thursday as the ninth secretary-general of the world body for five years from Jan. 1, 2017.

Guterres, 67, will replace Ban Ki-moon, 72, of South Korea. Ban will step down at the end of 2016 after serving two terms.

Guterres was prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015.</s>The 193 member states of the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution by acclamation, appointing the former Portugal Prime Minister as the ninth U.N. Secretary-General.

Portugal’s former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres was on Thursday appointed as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations by the General Assembly.

The 193 member states of the General Assembly adopted the resolution by acclamation, appointing 67-year-old Mr. Guterres as the ninth U.N. Secretary-General to take over from Ban Ki-moon, whose tenure will end on December 31, 2016.

The 15-nation U.N. Security Council had last week voted for Mr. Guterres by acclamation and forwarded his name to the General Assembly.

Mr. Guterres, who was Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015, will assume his new role on January 1, 2017 for a five-year term that can be renewed by member states for an additional five years.

Mr. Guterres had emerged as the frontrunner in all the six informal polls conducted in the Security Council to select the Secretary-General amid a heightened call by several U.N. member states and civil society organisations to elect a woman chief for the world body, which has had a man at its helm for all the 71 years of its existence.

Mr. Ban, however, described his successor as “a superb choice” for the position of Secretary-General, noting that the two had worked closely during Mr. Guterres’ “long and outstanding tenure” as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

“Secretary-General-elect Guterres is well known to all of us in the hall. But he is perhaps best known where it counts most: on the frontlines of armed conflict and humanitarian suffering,” Mr. Ban said referring to Mr. Guterres’ time as head of the U.N. refugee agency.

He had last week said Mr. Guterres “showed deep compassion for the millions of people who have been forced from their homes. He worked around-the-clock to mount effective operations to come to their assistance”.

“His past experience as Prime Minister of Portugal, his wide knowledge of world affairs and his lively intellect will serve him well in leading the United Nations in a crucial period,” he had said.

Speaking in Lisbon shortly after his selection last week, Mr. Guterres had expressed “gratitude and humility” and had vowed to “serve” those most vulnerable, including victims of conflict, terrorism, violation of rights and poverty.

Under procedures for appointing the world body’s new chief, after the recommendation is transmitted from the Council to the Assembly, a draft resolution is issued for the Assembly to take action.

The last five Secretaries-General were appointed by the Assembly through a resolution adopted by consensus. A vote takes 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. If a vote is taken, it will be by secret ballot.

The U.N. Charter, signed in 1945 as the foundation of the organisation, says relatively little about how a Secretary- General is to be selected, aside from Article 97, which notes that the candidate “shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council”.

In addition to Mr. Guterres, 12 other candidates were in the running for the position. Action in the Assembly will culminate an historic process: the selection of a new United Nations Secretary-General, traditionally decided behind closed-doors by a few powerful countries, had for the first time, involved public discussions with each candidate campaigning for the world’s top diplomatic post.</s>Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "I am delighted to congratulate Mr. António Guterres on his appointment today by the United Nations General Assembly to serve as the next United Nations Secretary-General.

"The world faces an unprecedented number of challenges – from ending the conflict in Syria, to addressing the worst global displacement crisis since the Second World War, to implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. As I witnessed firsthand during Mr. Guterres’ tenure as United Nations High Commission for Refugees, he possesses the experience, vision, and moral authority to tackle these challenges head on. The United Nations needs a steadfast leader at its helm, and Mr. Guterres has proven time and again that he can fill that role.

"I also would like to applaud the other candidates who competed in the Secretary-General race, who spent many months presenting their ideas for improving the United Nations and making the world a better place. The United States is pleased that this Secretary-General selection process was more transparent and that it included a diverse pool of candidates, including an unprecedented number of women.

"I offer my thanks to outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who has provided tireless, thoughtful leadership during a period of proliferating global challenges. I salute his dedication to the United Nations and his many accomplishments as its Secretary-General."</s>UN secretary general-designate, Antonio Guterres (right), listens during a meeting of the UN General Assembly concerning his appointment, on Thursday (AP photo)

UNITED NATIONS, United States — The UN General Assembly on Thursday appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary general of the United Nations, in a shift towards a more high-profile leadership of the world body.

The 193 member states adopted by consensus a resolution formally naming the former prime minister of Portugal as UN chief for a five-year term beginning January 1.

The socialist politician, who also served as UN refugee chief for a decade, is expected to play a more prominent role as the world’s diplomat-in-chief than Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean who will step down after two five-year terms.

His appointment comes at a time of global anxiety over the ongoing war in Syria, the refugee crisis and raging conflicts in South Sudan and Yemen.

Guterres was greeted by loud applause as he entered the packed hall following the vote and told the assembly he was “fully aware of the challenges the UN faces and the limitations of the secretary-general”.

The 67-year-old polyglot pledged to work as a “convener, a mediator, a bridge-builder and an honest broker” to confront global crises.

On Syria, the most pressing crisis on the UN agenda, Guterres said it was time for world powers to overcome divisions over ending the war, just as the key players were gearing up for a new round of talks at the weekend.

“Whatever divisions might exist, now it’s more important to unite,” Guterres told reporters after the vote. “It’s high time to fight for peace.”

The United States and Russia are to host a meeting of the countries involved in the Syrian conflict in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Saturday, and Washington will then hold talks with its European partners in London on Sunday.

The Security Council is deadlocked over Syria after two draft resolutions were defeated in separate votes, one of which was vetoed by Damascus ally Russia.

The first former head of government to become UN chief also called for determined action to confront terrorists and populists who “reinforce each other” in their extremism.

“We must make sure that we are able to break these alliances between all those terrorist groups or violent extremists on one side, and the expression of populism and xenophobia on the other side,” he said.

The remarks were directed at the rise of European far-right politicians and also US presidential contender Donald Trump whose anti-immigrant platform has triggered global alarm.

Guterres campaigned on a pledge to promote human rights and enact reforms within the UN system, seen as clunky and too slow to respond to unfolding disasters.

US Ambassador Samantha Power praised Guterres as “supremely qualified” to be secretary-general and stressed he was chosen at a time when the world looks to the United Nations to “do more than it has ever done before”.

She called on him to act as a peacemaker, a reformer and an advocate and declared that he brings “both head and heart” to what has been described as the most impossible job in the world.

Ban told the assembly that Guterres was well-known in diplomatic circles as a man of compassion during his decade as UN high commissioner for refugees.

“He is perhaps best known where it counts most — on the frontlines of armed conflict and humanitarian suffering,” said Ban.

“His political instincts are those of the United Nations — cooperation for the common good, and shared responsibility for people and the planet.”

Guterres is set to move into his new office with his transition team in downtown Manhattan, just across from UN headquarters, until he formally takes up the job on January 1.</s>The United Nations General Assembly formally appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, replacing Ban Ki-moon. PHOTO | FILE | AFP

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday formally appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, replacing Ban Ki-moon.

The 193 member states adopted by acclamation a resolution appointing the former prime minister of Portugal for a five-year term beginning January 1.

The socialist politician, who also served as UN refugee chief for a decade, is expected to play a more prominent role as the world's diplomat-in-chief than Ban, the South Korean former foreign minister who will step down after two five-year terms.

Guterres won unanimous support from the UN Security Council during a vote last week that capped the most transparent campaign ever held at the United Nations for the top post.

The 67-year-old polyglot campaigned on a pledge to promote human rights and enact reforms within the UN system, seen as clunky and too slow to respond to unfolding disasters.

His appointment comes at a time of global anxiety over the ongoing war in Syria, the refugee crisis and raging conflicts in South Sudan and Yemen.

The Security Council is deadlocked over Syria after two draft resolutions were defeated in separate votes over the weekend, one of which was vetoed by Damascus ally Russia.</s>PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Antonio Guterres on his appointment by the United Nations General Assembly as the next UN Secretary General, beginning from .

Atatement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu said Buhari believes that Guterres’ wealth of experience as a former Prime Minister of Portugal, head of UN Refugee Agency for several years, diplomat and a politician of repute, eminently prepared and qualified him for the new position.

As a committed member of the United Nations, President Buhari avers that, Nigeria looks forward to working and supporting Guterres to address the world’s most pressing challenges – from defeating terrorism and violent extremism for a peaceful and prosperous future to reducing poverty and tackling the devastating effects of climate change; as well as confronting the root causes of migrants and refugee crisis.

Buhari strongly believes that for the UN to remain relevant in the 21st century, the new UN Secretary-General must redouble efforts and spearhead essential reforms of the world body to enable it effectively address current global challenges.

President Buhari also congratulated the outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on his successful tenure and dedicated service to humanity.

He noted that the world indeed owes a debt of gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General for spearheading the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change, among other laudable achievements.

He also acknowledged the roles played by the UN and its agencies in strengthening democracy, good governance and stability in Nigeria, under the leadership of Ban Ki-Moon.

The President, while wishing the outgoing Secretary-General well in his future endeavours, extends his goodwill to the new Secretary-General.</s>As the next UN Secretary-General, António Guterres is expected to swing the pendulum back to diplomacy, and away from the last five years that have resulted in the unravelling of countries due to the ‘use of force’

A Norwegian diplomat and politician, Trygve Lie, who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations (1946-52), famously described the post as the “most impossible job on earth”. The ninth UN Secretary-General, António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, will assume office on January 1, 2017, at a time when the world is dangerously poised, the multilateral system anchored in the UN is being tested as never before, and the organisation looks ineffective on the pillar of peace and security. This was the pillar which provided the rationale for its establishment, to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”, the organisation’s impressive contribution in other areas such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, climate change, human rights and humanitarian work, up to a point, apart.

Impeccable credentials

 

 The good news is that the man who will assume stewardship of the UN comes with excellent credentials, a wealth of experience, and is best qualified not only amongst the slate from which he was elected but, in terms of experience and suitability, perhaps amongst all those who have occupied this high office. If anyone has a fighting chance to be an effective and secular pope, Mr. Guterres has probably the best chance.

I first witnessed his performance as a statesman and public figure when, as a young Joint Secretary on the West Europe desk, I had the privilege of accompanying the then President of India, K.R. Narayanan, on a state visit to Portugal in September 1998. Mr. Guterres was the Prime Minister of Portugal (1995-2002). Several years later, when I was serving as Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva, he was appointed, in June 2005, as the tenth UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Most Permanent Representatives interact with heads of international organisations on a regular basis. A few weeks into his new job, I found myself, in sad circumstances, addressing, along with him, a memorial service for my childhood friend Rajiv Kapur who died whilst serving the UNHCR on a mission in Colombo. Even in those early days of interaction with him, the man’s empathy, maturity and humanity stood out.

Mr. Guterres was appointed the UNHCR following allegations of sexual harassment levelled against his predecessor Ruud Lubbers, a former Dutch Prime Minister, by several women members of the UNHCR staff. Quite apart from these allegations, Mr. Lubber had lost the support of most of the Permanent Representatives on account of what was regarded as an arrogant and supercilious attitude. Mr. Guterres was a refreshing change. A few days into his new job, he delineated his first substantive statement: “What really matters is delivering protection and solutions to those who need it.” He was already a champion of gender equality, five years before UN Women was established. He said the UNHCR must be a pioneer in gender equality and concerns for women, children and other vulnerable groups. “My vision for protection at UNHCR is to erase the separation between protection and operations,” he said.

Fast forward 11 years — after the Security Council decided by acclamation in a closed-door session on October 5 to recommend his appointment, this is what he had to say: he would show “the humility that is needed to serve, and especially to serve those that are most vulnerable”, the victims of conflict, terrorism, human rights violations and poverty.

A consensus foretold

 

 Rewind back to the election process. Appearing in a ‘town hall’ format meeting organised by Al Jazeera on July 12, 2016, it was clear that in terms of popular support amongst member states, standing as a global statesman and what can only be described as ‘popular acceptability' amongst member states, Mr. Guterres was clearly pulling ahead of the dozen or so candidates in the field. After the third straw poll, I had in fact written for an Indian wire service that “barring some completely unforeseen development(s), Guterres is likely to be the ninth Secretary General of the United Nations”. This was a good one month prior to his election following the sixth straw poll.

Mr. Guterres was in fact the only candidate who, apart from impressive performances in public appearances, consistently polled more than the threshold of nine votes out of 15 required in the six straw polls. In fact, in the last round, he polled 13 ‘encourage’ votes, no ‘discourage’ votes, with two undecided. This round had the negative or veto votes of the permanent members clearly indicated. The next three candidates got seven each, well short of the required nine with six or more negative votes, including vetoes. The five women candidates failed to get the required traction within the UN Security Council.

Other contenders

 

 The campaigning had indicated a fairly strong demand for regional rotation and a candidate from Eastern Europe. That plus a strong push for breaking the glass ceiling and a woman Secretary-General after 71 years of the UN’s existence focussed attention on the need for a woman candidate from Eastern Europe. The candidature of Irina Bokova initially seemed a possibility. Viewed by one permanent member as being too closely identified with Russia, her candidature failed to take off.

It was mistakenly believed that Russia would insist on a East European, that it would not agree to the former Prime Minister of a country that was a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and that there was scope, Mr. Guterres’s impressive showing in the straw polls notwithstanding, for another woman candidate from Eastern Europe, Kristalina Georgieva, to be introduced.

Information in the public domain indicates that egged on by one permanent member of the Security Council, German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about it to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 meeting in Hangzhou, China. In fact, on September 7, Russia issued a statement regarding Ms. Merkel trying to influence Bulgaria to replace Ms. Bokova as its candidate in favour of her compatriot, Ms. Georgieva. The rest is history.

The hurriedly introduced candidature of Ms. Georgieva, aimed at derailing the candidature of Mr. Guterres, proved counterproductive and the latter surged ahead. The U.S. Permanent Representative’s statement summed it up: “In the end, there was just a candidate whose experience, vision and versatility across a range of areas proved compelling.” Moreover, his being a feminist and asserting that the UN must be at the forefront of efforts of the international community for gender equality reassured many.

The ninth UN Security-General will be the first former head of government to assume the office. In addition, he has handled a major UN agency, the UNHCR, for 10 years. He is expected to reinforce the UN’s enormous convening power, strengthen its moral authority and hopefully swing the pendulum back to diplomacy with an emphasis on mediation and prevention and away from the disastrous last five years that have resulted in the unravelling of countries due to the “use of force”.

Hardeep S. Puri was India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York from May 2009 to February 2013.</s>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations’ 193-member states are expected to appoint Portugal’s former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres as the world body’s next secretary-general.

Peter Thompson, president of the General Assembly, said in a statement that he hoped Guterres would be approved by a unanimous vote on Thursday.

Guterres, 67, was nominated by acclamation in the 15-member Security Council last week to replace Ban Ki-moon whose second five-year term ends on Dec. 31. He would be the ninth secretary-general in the organization’s 71-year history.

Aside from leading Portugal from 1995 to 2002, Guterres spent 10 years as the United Nations’ high commissioner on refugees from 2005 to 2015.

Guterres’ nomination disappointed those who had campaigned for a woman to lead the world body for the first time and also those who hoped the next secretary-general would come from an Eastern European country, but diplomats stressed they were voting for the best candidate regardless of other criteria.

“He’ll take over on the first of January at a crucial time for the U.N., when it is facing huge challenges on peace and security but also on international development and human rights. And the world needs a strong United Nations and he is the best possible leader to build on the work of his predecessors to provide that leadership,” Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said.

The secretary-general manages a staff of 44,000 in addition to more than 100,000 peacekeepers. The position’s responsibilities include dealing with issues such as human rights, refugees and climate change as well as fund raising for the world body’s various campaigns.
The United Nations General Assembly officially appoints former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres its next Secretary-General.