António Guterres reappointed as UN Secretary-General

The world has witnessed António Guterres’ path to success and fame in a period of mere 16 years. From the Prime Minister of Portugal (1995-2002) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2005-2015) to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the story of how he climbed the diplomatic ladder despite consistent vexations is something that has, is and will continue to inspire people across the globe.

After his formal election on the 13th of October 2016, Guterres was designated as the 9th Sec-General of the UN on 1st November 2017. It was in February of 2016 that he proffered his candidacy as the candidate of Portugal for the Secretary-General elections to be held in the following months. During his public hearing in the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), he transpired as a much stronger and impactful candidate than expected. Many sources also indicate that the reason why Guterres’ victory was so unexpected because ‘he fits the bill on neither the gender nor the geographic scores’.

On 5th October 2016, The Security Council (UNSC) comprising 15 members announced its agreement to nominate António Guterres as the sec-gen. The day he assumed his office he vowed to make 2017 ‘ a year of peace’.

Immediately after he has appointed the Secretary-General, newspapers around the world indicated that António would make a good fit for the office since he had experience working within the UN and an appreciable knowledge of the functioning of the agency. Furthermore, it can also be inferred from his experience as a leader that he has witnessed the aftermath of violence. In addition to this, many experts also support the belief that Guterres has deep-rooted compassion for the common masses.

While it cannot be implied that António has been subject to criticism oftentimes, he has been the recipient of constructive criticism at best. People who have been following the UN and its activities are aware of the agency’s role in the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti which resulted in the death of 9000 people.

As stated by various sources, the UN peacekeepers who were carriers of asymptomatic cholera were the profound cause for the aforementioned outbreak. Contrary to what many expected, Guterres failed to address the situation properly and to prove his commitment and dedication to the victims of the disease from Haiti. Five months after he assumed the role, only $10 million had been contributed to the $400 million funds which were set up for fighting against the same purpose.

In 2019, two years later, António was yet again the subject of animadversion for ‘being silent when it was reported that China had transferred ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities to the Xinjiang re-education camps. Referring to the same incident, Kenneth Roth (chief of Human Rights Watch) stated that the reason why the secretary-general did not address ‘one of the most important, the most brazen human rights abuses’ was simply because he was ‘worried about upsetting the Chinese.’

Antonio Guterres’ first term as sec-gen is set to come to an end on the last day of 2021.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) appoints the secretary-general based on the recommendation of the UNSC.

On 8th June 2021, the United Nations Security Council passed a concordant resolution in which it recommended Antonio Guterres for a second term as the secretary-general of the UN. The elections are set to be held on the 18th of June, 2021. Subsequently, his name was recommended to the UNGA for further evaluation and consideration.

In response to this, he issued a public statement indicating that he was ‘very grateful’. He said, “The decision taken today by the Security Council to recommend to the General Assembly that I serve a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations is a great honour. I am very grateful to the members of the Council for the trust they have placed in me.”

Talking about his first term in the office and referencing the first three words of the UN charter, Antonio said, “It has been an immense privilege to be at the service of ‘we, the peoples’ and at the helm of the amazing women and men of this organization for the past four and a half years when we have been facing so many complex challenges.”

While the vote to re-elect Guterres for a second term will take place, one can say with confidence and surety that the majority of the General Assembly will vote in favour of him. If elected, he is expected to start his second term on the first day of 2022.

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