Antonio Guterres nominated for a second term as UN chief by UNSC

Guterres,72, has held the office since 2017 and his term is due to end on December 31.

The former prime minister of Portugal was the only official candidate for the position of secretary general and his next term in the office was given.

Earrlier on Tuesday, the Security Council has formally selected the current Secretary-General António Guterres as its nominee to serve a second five-year term in the UN’s top job.

The recommendation was made in a resolution adopted by acclamation in a private meeting and now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for formal approval.

However, this process is seen only as a formality and may happen soon.

In a statement, Mr. Guterres said it was “a great honour” to be selected, and thanked ambassadors serving on the Security Council for placing their trust in him. “My gratitude also extends to Portugal, for having nominated me again”, he added.

“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”, said the UN chief.

“I would be deeply humbled if the General Assembly were to entrust me with the responsibilities of a second mandate.”

Guterres circulated his vision statement for a second five-year term in March, and laid out his case for a second term in early May during an informal interactive dialogue at UN Headquarters.

The informal dialogues were introduced during the last selection process in the UN General Assembly, with the idea of allowing candidates to present their views and take questions from a wide range of representatives of the global community, including civil society, establishing a new standard of transparency.

The last six proceedings for selecting the Secretaries-General were appointed by the Assembly through a resolution adopted by consensus.

A vote will take 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. But the Assembly could decide that the decision requires a two-thirds majority. If a vote is taken, it will be by secret ballot.