The UN said that Simonovic was chosen from 128 candidates from all over the world, and that he has "extensive experience in the fields of international development, human rights, peace building and development of national institutions, which he has addressed at the political and academic levels".
UN kažu da je Šimonović izabran među 128 kandidata iz celog sveta i da on ima "široko iskustvo na polju međunarodnog razvoja, ljudskih prava, izgradnje mira i razvoja nacionalnih institucija, čime se bavio na političkom i akademskom nivou".