11 October 2016: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) will hold a meeting in “public format” on 13 October to consider the appointment of António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General, as announced by UNGA President Peter Thomson on 11 October. He noted that the draft resolution for consideration by the Assembly is a result of “comprehensive consultations with Member States and interested groups.”

On 6 October 2016, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution recommending Guterres for a five-year term. Council president Vitaly Churkin (Russia) transferred the Council’s recommendation to Thomson for the Assembly’s consideration.

By the draft text circulated on 11 October, the Assembly would: recall the relevant chapter of the UN Charter (Chapter XV) and reaffirm its reference to the role of the UNGA (Article 97); welcome the process of selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and its timely conclusion, guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity, as set out in UNGA resolutions adopted in September 2015 (69/321) and September 2016 (70/305), including the organization of informal dialogues with all candidates; and appoint Guterres for a term of office from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021. Thomson expresses his “earnest wish” that the text be adopted by acclamation.

Speaking from Rome on 6 October, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he considers Guterres a “superb choice,” highlighting his compassion and dedication during his ten-year tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as his experience as Prime Minister of Portugal. He said that as the ninth man to serve as Secretary-General, Guterres will have “a special responsibility to include, support and empower the world’s women and girls.”

Guterres, speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon following the Security Council meeting, promised to “serve the most vulnerable, the victims of conflicts, of terrorism, of rights violations, of poverty, of injustices.”

Thomson intends to convene an informal meeting of the plenary on 19 October with the Secretary-General-designate, where all Member States and groups will be welcome to speak. [IISD RS Story on Security Council Recommendation] [Remarks of Secretary-General] [Portugal News] [Letter from UNGA President and Draft Resolution] [Security Council Resolution]