Second term for UN secretary-general backed by China

China firmly supports António Guterres' appointment for a second five-year term as 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 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 Tuesday morning to consider Guterres' nomination as secretary-general. The 15-member Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution recommending the former Portuguese prime minister be re-elected as the UN chief for the Jan 1, 2022-to-Dec 31, 2026 term.

"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 greater role in responding to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, so as to 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 likely go to the 193-member General Assembly for a vote on June 18, Sven Jürgenson, permanent representative of Estonia to the UN and Security Council rotating president for June, told reporters at a media briefing.

"We have all seen the secretary-general in action. I think he has been an excellent secretary-general," said Jurgenson, adding that Guterres is a "bridge-builder" and "has proven worthy of the post".

Portugal put forward Guterres for a second-term. He is the only official candidate for the post of secretary-general. Only member states can nominate candidates, according to the rules and procedures of the UN. No other states, besides Portugal, have presented a candidate, Jurgenson said.

Guterres presented his vision statement and had 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 that 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," he added.

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.

In accordance with the UN Charter, the secretary-general's appointment is made by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, which in effect means that any of the five permanent members can veto the nominee.

Each secretary-general has the option of a second term, provided the official can muster enough support from member states.