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GENEVA, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's Antonio Guterres is poised to become new UN secretary-general amid wide acclaims that he has the vision to steer the UN in the right direction as the world faces unprecedented challenges.
Guterres boasts a long and distinguished career in UN as chief of the refugee agency UNHCR, as well as in Portuguese politics, starting as early as 1974 and culminating in becoming the country's prime minister in 1995, a post he held until 2002.
A long-standing member of the Portuguese socialist party, he then served as the UN high commissioner for refugees between June 2005 and December 2015.
Fluent in English, Spanish and French as well as his native Portuguese, the 67-year-old has notably been cited as saying after 10 years at the helm of the UNHCR that "we are like a nurse who provides an aspirin to the patient: we can alleviate the pain, but not solve the problem."
A man of vision, Guterres himself conceded to Portuguese public television RTP in January that he likes "being on the ground, I like things that force me to intervene."
Cecile Kyenge, Italy's former minister for integration and current member of the European Parliament, also lauded his ability to take concrete steps, writing on social media that he is "a man of action with experience and a vision on migration. A strong partner for EU."
UNHCR senior communications officer Sybella Wilkes said on twitter that the "world wakes up to brighter future" in a clear sign of support from one of the agency's senior staff members.
Endorsements were also voiced by former Portuguese president Anibal Cavaco Silva, Canada's foreign minister Stephane Dion and International Labour Organization Director-General Guy Ryder.
The selection of the next UN secretary-general takes place at a turning point for the world amid protracted crises in Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, humanitarian issues in Africa, global health threats such as Zika and unprecedented levels of displacement.
Guterres is poised to succeed UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 1, 2017.
The Security Council's decision will be sent to the General Assembly for final approval.
