China supports Guterres’ second term as UN chief
China firmly supports the election of Antonio Guterres for a second five-year term as the United Nations’ secretary-general and will continue to work with the UN to promote international cooperation and uphold true multilateralism, China’s permanent representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, said on Tuesday.
“China appreciates Mr Guterres’ active role in leading the UN in maintaining international peace and security, promoting sustainable development, and promoting international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic since he took office,” Zhang said in a statement.
The ambassador’s remarks came after the UN’s top governing body convened for a private meeting on Tuesday to consider Guterres’ nomination as secretarygeneral. The 15-member Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution recommending the former Portuguese prime minister be reelected as the UN chief for the term from Jan 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2026.
“China will continue to support the works of the UN and Secretary-General Guterres, and safeguard true multilateralism,” Zhang said.
China is willing to deepen cooperation with the UN, jointly maintain the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, strengthen the authority and role of the UN, and support the UN in playing a greataccording er role in responding to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change and will make greater contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security and the promotion of global development, the envoy added.
The Security Council’s recommendation will go to the 193member General Assembly for a vote on June 18, Sven Jurgenson, permanent representative of Estonia to the UN and Security Council rotating president for June, told reporters at a media briefing.
‘Bridge-builder’
“We have all seen the secretarygeneral in action. I think he has been an excellent secretary-general,” said Jurgenson, adding Guterres is a “bridge-builder” and “has proven worthy of the post”.
Portugal nominated Guterres for a second term. He is the only declared candidate for the post of secretary-general. Only member states can nominate candidates, to the rules and procedures of the UN.
Guterres presented his vision statement and met with diplomats at the General Assembly and the Security Council in a transparent and coherent selection process, Jurgenson added.
In a statement, Gutteres said the recommendation from the Security Council “is a great honour”, and he is grateful to the council members for their trust.
“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,” Gutteres said.
“Pursuing, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, the purposes and principles of the Charter is a most noble duty. I would be deeply humbled if the General Assembly were to entrust me with the responsibilities of a second mandate.”
The 72-year-old Guterres succeeded Ban Ki-moon in January 2017 as the top UN official. He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and headed the UN refugee agency from 2005 to 2015.
Based on the UN Charter, the secretary-general’s appointment is made by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Any of the five permanent members of the Council can veto the nominee.
Each secretary-general has the option of a second term, provided the official can muster enough support from member states.
Pursuing, as SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, the purposes and principles of the Charter is a most noble duty.”
Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general