(VOVworld) – Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres was sworn in Monday as Secretary-General of the United Nations, becoming the ninth UN chief in the body’s 71-year history.
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| (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Addressing the 193 member nations, Guterres vowed to carry out reforms so that UN operations will be nimble, efficient, and effective. He said the priority for the United Nations is to address root causes of multiple global challenges supported by three pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Guterres can expect to face numerous challenges in the coming months, including finding consensus in the UN Security Council to end the long civil war in Syria, ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine, halting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and mitigating climate change, environmental pollution, and the migration crisis.
The same day, the General Assembly paid a tribute to outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his services over the past decade. Representatives from around the world highlighted Ban’s efforts to lead the world’s biggest multilateral organization to serve world development and ensure that no one is left behind.