UNHCR welcomes Security Council recommendation of former UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres as Secretary-General

UNHCR warmly welcomes the recommendation by the UN Security Council of its former High Commissioner, António Guterres, as the next United Nations Secretary-General.

“During his ten years at UNHCR, Mr. Guterres managed some of the biggest refugee crises of our times,” said High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “We know that he will lead the United Nations with the vision, political skills and deep sense of humanity needed to make an unprecedented push for world peace.”

Faced with a surge in the number of people displaced by conflict and persecution, António Guterres skillfully managed UNHCR’s responses, introducing important reforms to make these more effective.

“But António Guterres was – above all – a tireless advocate for refugees, the internally displaced and the stateless, defending their rights in the field and at the highest political levels. He placed a strong emphasis on finding innovative solutions to help them find safety and a dignified life, as well as on pushing for an end to the conflicts driving so many people from their homes,” Grandi said.

“We at UNHCR are especially happy that the world’s most senior peacemaker will be somebody who knows so well the terrible human consequences of war.”

Additional resources

To download photos and video footage of António Guterres during his tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, visit Refugees Media [registration required].