The UN Security Council on Thursday formally and unanimously recommended to the UN General Assembly Antonio Guterres, former Portuguese prime minister and former head of the UN refugee agency, be appointed the next secretary-general, to replace the retiring Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 1, 2017.
The decision was made by acclamation of the 15 Security Council members, behind closed doors. On Wednesday, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, this month's president of the Council, announced that members of the panel had chosen Guterres, who had been leading in all six informal straw polls by the 15-nation council.
While the choice of Guterres was not a surprise, the announcement on Wednesday that consensus had been reached was a surprise. Just a day ago, on Tuesday, Churkin told reporters there could be consultations on making a choice next week.
Most ambassadors in the council were pushing for a selection to be made by November to give the next secretary-general enough time to prepare for the end-of-year transition.
"I was moved when I saw the Security Council able to decide in unity and consensus and to decide in a very quick way and I hope this represents a symbolic moment, a moment in which the Security Council enhance its capacity to act in unity and consensus," Guterres said in a statement issued by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
The candidate said he felt, "Gratitude but also humility when facing the dramatic problems of today's world and humility that is needed to serve and especially to serve those that are the most vulnerable, the victims of conflicts, of terrorism, the victims of violation of rights ... poverty and injustices of the world."
"And also humility that is needed to recognize the inspiration that comes from so many workers of the UN and its partners that are doing everything they can in the most dangerous areas of our world," he added.
Churkin personally delivered a copy of the recommendation resolution to President Peter Thomson of the General Assembly within minutes of its approval.
The UN Charter says only, "The secretary-general shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Security Council."
The assembly is expected to approve the recommendation, since Council members are supposed to reflect the will of General Assembly members.
There was no immediate word on when the General Assembly would act on the recommendation.
Traditionally, each term is five years with a maximum of two terms.
In attempts to reform the Council, in addition to adding permanent members to reflect changing of the world from the post World War II era, there have been recommendations to limit the secretary-general to a single seven-year term to eliminate any distraction for campaigning for a second five-year term.
The Guterres decision dashed hopes for a first-ever woman secretary-general and of Eastern Europeans hoping for a first-ever UN chief from their region.
Half of the candidates were women and seven of the remaining 10 candidates were Eastern European, including several women. There had been 13 candidates but three have dropped out.
Asked about the disappointment of woman, Churkin replied, "We've had a very fair process. We encouraged the presentation of women as candidates." Fifty percent of the candidates were women, form the outset to the last straw poll.
"But, ultimately, I think, there was general agreement among members of the Security Council and beyond that the most important thing is to have the best candidate available and as it turned out I think that the best possible candidate available was Mr. Antonio Guterres," he said.
The current secretary-general, Ban, told reporters in Rome that he knew Guterres "very well," congratulated him and said he considered him "a superb choice."
"We worked closely together during his long and outstanding service as UN High Commissioner for Refugees," Ban said. "He showed deep compassion for the millions of people who have been forced from their homes. He worked around-the-clock to mount effective operations to come to their assistance."
"His past experience as Prime Minister of Portugal, his wide knowledge of world affairs and his lively intellect will serve him well in leading the United Nations," the secretary-general said.
"I and my colleagues look forward to working closely with him and his team to ensure a smooth transition, and I wish him every success when he assumes his formidable new responsibilities."
"As the ninth man to serve as secretary-general, Mr. Guterres has a special responsibility to include, support and empower the world's women and girls," he said. "There is much work ahead, and I pledge to continue to work hard on all these fronts until the last minute of the last day of my mandate."
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, chair of The Elders, a group of senior statesmen, said in a statement issued in London that he was "delighted by the outcome of the Council's selection process."
"Antonio Guterres is a highly-qualified candidate who is well-prepared for the many daunting challenges he faces. He will need the firm support of the Security Council as well as the wider membership of the United Nations to help him fulfil his mandate in these challenging times," Annan said.
