UN Secretary-General Sworn In
António Guterres Takes Helm of World Organization
New York, December 12, 2016
António Guterres, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, was sworn in as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations today. Guterres, who was appointed by the UN Security Council on October 13, 2016, and confirmed by the General Assembly on December 12, 2016, succeeds Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea. Guterres is the first Secretary-General from a Portuguese-speaking country.
In his acceptance speech, Guterres pledged to work for a "fair globalization" that benefits all people and to strengthen the UN's role in peacemaking, peacekeeping, and human rights.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to be entrusted with this responsibility," said Guterres. "I pledge to serve the people of the world with all my heart and soul."
Guterres's term as Secretary-General will run for five years.
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