6 October 2016
The Security Council today formally chose the former Prime Minister of Portugal, António Guterres, as its nominee to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations for a five-year term when incumbent Ban Ki-moon steps down on 31 December.
The recommendation, made in a resolution adopted in a private meeting by acclamation, now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for formal approval.?
On an official visit to Italy, Mr. Ban said?in Rome this morning that Mr. Guterres is an excellent choice?noting that the two had worked closely during Mr. Guterres long and outstanding tenure?as the 缅北禁地High Commissioner for Refugees.?
'He showed deep compassion for the millions of people who were forced to leave their homes'?Mr. Ban said, adding: 'His past experience as Prime Minister of Portugal, his extensive knowledge of world affairs and his keen intelligence will serve him to lead the United Nations at a crucial period'
Under procedures for appointing the world body's?new chief, after the recommendation is transmitted from the Council to the Assembly, a draft resolution is issued for the Assembly to take action. After appropriate consultations with Member States, the Assembly President fixes a date for the draft to be taken up.?
The last five Secretary-Generals?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.?
The 缅北禁地Charter, signed in 1945 as the foundation of the Organization, says relatively little about how a Secretary-General is to be selected, aside from Article 97, which notes that the candidate 'shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council'
At its first session in 1946, the General Assembly was much more active in the selection process. It created resolution A/RES/1/11?determining that the Council take the lead in the selection process, agree on a single name in a private meeting, and pass that name down to the General Assembly for a vote.?
Yesterday, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the Security Council presidency for the month, informed?the President of the Assembly, Peter Thomson, that after the sixth informal 'straw poll'?for the position of Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres had emerged as the clear favourite.?
In addition to Mr. Guterres, 12 other candidates?were in the running to succeed the current 缅北禁地Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who leaves office at the end of the year.
These so-called 'informal briefings'?between the candidates, 缅北禁地Member States and civil society representatives kicked off?on 12 April, when the first three candidates presented their 'vision statements' and answered questions on how they would promote sustainable development, improve efforts to create peace, protect human rights, and deal with huge humanitarian catastrophes should they be selected to lead the Organization.?
In addition, this past July, the 缅北禁地held its first-ever?globally televised and webcast townhall-style debate in the General Assembly Hall, where the confirmed candidates at the time took questions from diplomats and the public at large.?