Source: USA TODAY
January 1, 2017
Portuguese diplomat António Guterres took over as the United Nations' new secretary-general Sunday and issued an appeal for peace.
“Let us make 2017 a year in which we all — citizens, governments, leaders — strive to overcome our differences,” Guterres said shortly after taking the reins. He urged people to share his New Year's resolution: "Let us resolve to put peace first."
Guterres, 67, succeeds Ban Ki-moon, who was the U.N. chief for 10 years. Here are four things to know about Guterres, the ninth leader of the world organization:
January 1, 2017
Portuguese diplomat António Guterres took over as the United Nations' new secretary-general Sunday and issued an appeal for peace.
“Let us make 2017 a year in which we all — citizens, governments, leaders — strive to overcome our differences,” Guterres said shortly after taking the reins. He urged people to share his New Year's resolution: "Let us resolve to put peace first."
Guterres, 67, succeeds Ban Ki-moon, who was the U.N. chief for 10 years. Here are four things to know about Guterres, the ninth leader of the world organization:
He wants more women at the U.N.
Prior to Guterres' election the General Assembly, the U.N. considered giving its top job to a woman for the first time. Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, has said "gender parity" is key for the organization to thrive. In mid-December, Guterres announced he will appoint Nigeria's environment minister, Amina Mohammed, as his deputy. He also said he would appoint Brazil's Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti as his chief of staff. A senior policy adviser role will be given to Kyung-wha Kangof South Korea. In 2016, 33 of the U.N.'s 46 senior roles were held by men, according to the Global Peace Operations Review, an online resource covering peacekeeping and political missions.
He wants to meet Trump 'as soon as possible'
President-elect Donald Trump has called for major changes at the U.N., which he said is "not living up to its potential." Guterres said this week that it is "certainly in my interest to visit (Trump) as soon as possible." Guterres noted the "United States is not only the main donor of the U.N. but a fundamental element in its actions." Meeting with Trump takes on added significance after the president-elect condemned the Dec. 23 U.N. Security Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlements on land claimed by Palestinians. Guterres has already met with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Syria's civil war, describing it to Portuguese TV as an "excellent working meeting." The Lisbon native will contend with a Trump administration that is skeptical of many U.N.-brokered achievements, including a landmark deal to combat global warming.
He may refocus efforts on refugee programs
Guterres spent a decade as the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Refugees. During this time, he oversaw the most profound overhaul in the refugee agency's history and built up its ability to respond to the largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II, as millions of Syrians and others fleeing war and poverty fled to Turkey and western Europe. He led the U.N. response to Syria's civil war, the European migration crisis, the 2014 conflict in eastern Ukraine between separatists and the national government, the Gaza conflict with Israel in 2009 and the aftermath of natural disasters, including the 2004 Asian tsunami that killed 250,000. "He’s not a quiet voice. He’s a forceful outspoken leader on the global stage, and that’s something the U.N. needs," said Peter Yeo, president of Better World Campaign, which promotes a strong U.S.-U.N. relationship.
He wants a 'culture of prevention'
Guterres said his priority at the U.N. will be a "surge in diplomacy for peace." To achieve that, he aims to foster a "culture of prevention." He wants the U.N. to act as an "honest broker, bridge-builder and messenger for peace," and to focus on preventing crises rather than managing them after they occur. For this to work, Guterres said there needs to be strong partnerships among regional organizations, international financial institutions and the private sector.
5 things on new U.N. chief's long to do list as he 'inherits big mess'
Contributing: Oren Dorell
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President Barack Obama welcomed the incoming UN Secretary General to the White House Friday, calling him an "extraordinarily effective" leader. Antonio Guterres expressed his commitment to working closely with both Obama and President-elect Trump. (Dec. 2) AP
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Exclusive interview with next UN chief Antonio Guterres (FULL) 新华社独家专访联合国候任秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys_NtOmE5o4
New China TV
Published on Oct 13, 2016
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Thursday, UN Secretary-general-designate Antonio Guterres said that promoting peace would be the most pressing issue on his agenda when he assumes office next year, and that he will do everything he can to address inter-linked conflicts worldwide, especially the one in Syria.
Guterres, just appointed by the UN General Assembly the same day, also addressed issues of refugee, climate change and sustainable development in the interview.
