(Credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) António Guterres at press briefing after being re-appointed to second term as UN Secretary General at UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – António Guterres was re-appointed to a second term as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Friday. Guterres was the sole candidate from the UN’s 193 Member States to contend for its top job. His first five-year term began in January 2017. He was nominated by his homeland, Portugal, and appointed by acclamation by the General Assembly, following prior endorsement by the UN Security Council, for a second term that runs from January 2022 to December 2026. The deadly global pandemic has dominated world headlines that past year and still presents challenges for the UN as it addresses poverty, war, hunger and inequality. But Guterres said he remains hopeful as the UN helps the world chart a course out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I believe there are reasons to be hopeful. The pandemic has revealed our shared vulnerability, our interconnectedness, and the absolute need for collective action. Our greatest challenge – which is at the same time our greatest opportunity – is to use this crisis to turn the tide, pivot towards a world that learns lessons, promotes a just, green and sustainable recovery and shows the way via increased and effective international cooperation to address global issues.”
-UN Secretary General Guterres
(Credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) António Guterres at press briefing after being re-appointed to second term as UN Secretary General at UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.
Video DIPLOMATIC TIMES – UNITED NATIONS – NEW YORK – António Guterres was re-appointed to a second term as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Friday June 18, 2021.
The UN Secretary-General said he will also seek to inspire hope that things can be turned around, or that the impossible might be made possible.
(Credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) António Guterres at press briefing after being re-appointed to second term as UN Secretary General at UN world headquarters in New York City June 18, 2021.
“The attitude is never to give up,” he said. “This is not idealistic or utopian but grounded in knowledge of history when big transformations occurred and guided by the fundamental belief in the inherent goodness of people. That breakthroughs are possible when we expect it the least and against all odds. That is my unwavering commitment.”
-UN Secretary General Guterres
Guterres also called for seizing momentum for transformation, and said there is a need to bring other voices to the table, including civil society, the private sector and youth.
“Ultimately, this transformation has to do with solidarity and equality. But equity needs to start now: vaccines need to be available for everyone everywhere and we must create the conditions for sustainable and inclusive recovery both in the developed and developing world. And there is still a long way to go,” he said.
