UN Confirms Guterres for a Second Term as Secretary-General
Source: Bloomberg
The United Nations General Assembly confirmed Antonio Guterres for a second term as secretary-general of the world body thats coping with challenges including the deepening rift between the U.S. and China and the coronavirus pandemic thats afflicting swaths of the developing world.
The action on Friday, taken by acclimation without a roll call vote, was expected after the Security Council gave its backing earlier this month to another five-year term for the 72-year-old former prime minister of Portugal.
I am acutely aware of the immense responsibilities you are entrusting me with at such a critical moment in history, Guterres said after the General Assembly action. The pandemic has revealed our shared vulnerability, our interconnectedness and the absolute need for collective action. In addition to focusing on the pandemic, Guterres intends to use his second term to pursue his emphasis on combating climate change.
Guterres faced little opposition for re-election, although some critics said it was past time for the UN to name its first female secretary-general.
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-18/un-confirms-guterres-for-a-second-term-as-secretary-general#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20General%20Assembly,swaths%20of%20the%20developing%20world.