3 January 2017: On his first day as UN Secretary-General, António Guterres called for making 2017 a year for peace, which he said must be “our goal and our guide.” He noted that trillions of dollars are spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations. Two days before, during his final farewell to UN staff in New York, outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remarked that during his tenure, he has worked as “voice of the voiceless people, defender of the defenceless people,” and he called on staff to continue to do so.

Guterres called for reforming the UN development system as UN Member States have asked.

Guterres met with UN staff on 3 January 2017. He stressed the importance of asserting the value of multilateralism, saying many problems, including climate change, are global, and there is “no way” they can be solved on a country-by-country basis. He remarked that while the UN is the main pillar of multilateralism, UN staff comprise the main pillar of the UN. He highlighted the need to recognize the UN’s achievements but also its shortcomings, including in relation to prevention of conflicts and conflict resolution, and in bringing together peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, which he said are three aspects of the same reality. He called for collective and strong engagement to change, reform and improve the UN, including by: integrating different areas of action in the UN; reforming the UN development system “as UN Member States have asked;” and trying to “get rid of this straightjacket of bureaucracy that makes our lives so difficult in many of the things we do.”

Guterres noted that the world has witnessed enormous economic and technological progress, and extreme poverty has been reduced, but inequalities have grown “quite dramatically,” conflicts have multiplied and are interlinked with the new phenomenon of global terrorism, there are “massive human rights violations,” and refugee law is not as respected as it was few years ago. He said the UN must not only do the right thing, but also “earn the right” to do the right thing. He announced that a UN Town Hall meeting would take place on 9 January 2017, where he would listen to staff concerns, aspirations, opinions, suggestions and ideas about the future.

Addressing the UN on 30 December 2016, Ban said he felt privileged to serve the world’s people, along with UN colleagues, including UN Member States, civil society “and many more.” Ban outlined four principles that have guided his work during the last ten years, namely: set priorities and stay focused on advancing sustainable development, climate change, and empowering women and youth, among other issues; never give up, keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep working hard until we achieve progress; keep the focus on people, including on people’s rights and people’s dignity; and stand up for those who are left behind, to raise your voice for their dignity.

At a farewell lunch organized by UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Peter Thomson, the President congratulated Ban for “historic” UN achievements under his leadership, including the Paris Agreement on climate change that entered into force in 2016, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said Ban was “an unrelenting force” in raising global awareness of the catastrophic consequences of the planet’s warming, and in galvanizing world leaders to act.

Guterres was formally appointed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 13 October 2016, and started his functions as UN Secretary-General on 1 January 2017. He was preceded by Ban Ki-moon, who began his first term as UN Secretary-General on 1 January 2007, and was unanimously re-elected by the UNGA to a second term ending on 31 December 2016. [Ban’s Statement at Farewell to UN Staff] [UN News on Ban’s Farewell] [Guterres Video Message on First Day as UN Secretary-General] [Guterres Appeal for Peace] [Guterres Address to UN Staff] [UN News on Guterres Address to UN Staff] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Guterres Oath of Office, UNGA Tribute to Ban] [UNGA President’s Remarks]