UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the five permanent members of the Security Council that he hoped to serve a second term at the helm of the global body, diplomatic officials said on Monday.
The 71-year-old, who spoke during a lunch meeting hosted by the Chinese ambassador to the UN on Friday, stressed the need to improve international cooperation on serious challenges such as terrorism and cybersecurity, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP.
In addition to calling for a reconciliation of humanity and nature, he went on to outline a host of threats facing the modern world.
According to other diplomats, Guterres’ wish has not elicited any opposition from any of the Security Council’s permanent members.
The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council, and as such his/her selection is subject to the veto of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
There had been speculation that Guterres would not seek another term if U.S. President Donald Trump had won reelection in the November 2020 polls.
The former prime minister of Portugal and the UN’s former high commissioner for refugees took office on January 2017 as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Although, technically, there no limit to the number of five-year terms a Secretary-General may serve, none so far has held office for more than two terms.
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