Antonio Guterres to replace Ban Ki Moon as UN Chief in 2017

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New Delhi : India on Thursday welcomed a decision to select Portugal's former premier Antonio Guterres as the next United Nation Secretary General to replace Ban-Ki Moon at the beginning of 2017.

"Congratulations & Best wishes. India welcomes Antonio Manuel de Olivera Guterres as next Secretary-General of @UN," India's Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

Akbaruddin’s tweet was clubbed with a picture of Antonio shaking hands with India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.  

The UN Council will meet for one more time to take a final vote before submitting his name to the General Assembly for its consideration.

Know more about Antonio Guterres

Antonio Guterres is a former Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. He has also served as the President of the Socialist International. He has been associated with United Nation as High Commissioner for refugees from 2005 to December 2015.

The 15-nation Council conducted a sixth straw poll on Wednesday (06-10-2016) in which Guterres received 13 encourage votes and two no opinion votes. None of the five veto-wielding permanent members voted against him, clearing the way for Guterres to become the 9th Secretary General of the UN.

Ban-Ki Moon and his services with United Nation

Ban-Ki Moon is the 8th and current Secretary-General of United Nation. He had assumed charge in 200 and will be ending his 10-year long term on December 31, 2016.

Highlights:

# Antonio Guterres to replace Ban-Ki Moon as UN General Secretary in 2017 beginning

# 13 out of 15-nation council voted Antonio’s name for the post

# Another poll will be conducted before submitting his name to General Assembly for consideration

# Ban-Ki Moon is the 8th Secretary General of United Nation in 70-year long history

# Ban-Ki Moon has joined the office in 2007, will be ending his 10-year long term on December 31, 2016.