Guterres to work for gender parity at male-dominated UN

UNITED NATIONS: Portugal’s former prime minister Antonio Guterres, who is almost certain to be the next UN secretary-general, says he wants to be “an honest broker,

UNITED NATIONS: Portugal’s former prime minister Antonio Guterres, who is almost certain to be the next UN secretary-general, says he wants to be “an honest broker, a bridge-builder and someone who tries to create conditions for consensus”.

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The veteran politician and diplomat won unanimous backing from the UN Security Council on Thursday. During a closed-door meeting, the 15 council members adopted a resolution formally presenting Guterres as their choice to be the world’s diplomat-in-chief. Applause rang out in the chamber as the council recommended Guterres for a five-year term from January 1.

Guterres said in an interview during his campaign that if he got the job his aim would be to work with all countries to help solve the myriad problems on the global agenda.

Guterres topped all six informal polls in the council after receiving high marks from almost every diplomat for his performance in the first-ever question-and-answer sessions for candidates in the General Assembly.

The result disappointed campaigners for a woman or East European to be the world’s top diplomat. Guterres will almost certainly select a woman as deputy secretary-general and he said in the interview that one of the things that is “crucial” at the male-dominated United Nations is “to have gender parity.” He said his 10 years as the UN high commissioner for refugees were “excellent preparation” for the new role.

A vote by the General Assembly’s 193 member-states to endorse the successor to Ban Ki-moon is expected next week, probably on Thursday.

Speaking in Rome, Ban hailed Guterres as a “superb choice”, saying that “his wide knowledge of world affairs and lively intellect will serve him well in leading the UN in a critical period.”