Charles Michel and Didier Reynders congratulate Antonio Guterres for his selection as the new Secretary-General of the United Nations

Prime Minister Charles Michel and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders congratulate Antonio Guterres, whom the Security council just recommended to the General Assembly as the new Secretary-General of the Organisation. This is one of the heaviest mandates in terms of responsibility on the international stage. More than ever, our world needs the United Nations as a guarantor of global, effective and fair responses.

Faced with ever more complex and existential threats, we need a real multilateral commitment. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is called upon to guide us on this path, to bring us together and to facilitate the achievement of agreements through effective and credible international structures. Antonio Guterres’ professional career confirms his commitment and his ability to manage large humanitarian crises.

His experience, as well as his vision on the future of the United Nations he shared with the members of the General Assembly, inspire confidence.

The major projects, launched under current Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, need to produce tangible results: climate, sustainable development, fight against terrorism and violent radicalism, prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, universal respect for human rights and social justice.

Antonio Guterres can count on the full support of Belgium. Together we want to foster consensus and act for peace.