Seychelles president congratulates new UN chief Guterres

The Seychelles President Danny Faure who was sworn in to office on Sunday October 16. (State House)

(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles President Danny Faure has congratulated António Guterres, the newly appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Guterres was formally appointed by the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday last week, after the unanimous backing of the UN Security Council the week before.

In his congratulatory message sent on Monday, Faure said Guterres’ appointment attests to the confidence and trust of all member states in his vision for the future of the organisation.

“Such an accomplishment is not only representative of your own determination but the will of your country, Portugal, to ensure the effective delivery of the United Nations towards the needs of all member states, irrespective of the level of development and size,” Faure said in the statement.

Guterres was among 13 candidates, including seven women, running for the highest UN office. The former Portuguese Prime Minister will begin his five-year term as the UN chief on January 1. He takes over from South Korean Ban Ki-moon who has served two five-year terms.

Faure has expressed confidence that all of the characteristics, knowledge and wisdom Guterres has acquired during his years as a diplomat and civil servant will be mirrored during his tenure as the Secretary -General of the United Nations.

Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, became a member of the United Nations in 1976, and is one of the smallest member states.

President Faure noted the UN’s support to Seychelles on pertinent issues of national and international priority, namely climate change and maritime Security.

“I am convinced that you will continue, during your tenure, to adopt a similar position as your predecessor, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, in ensuring that the vulnerabilities and special situations of Small Island Developing States are duly promulgated,” Faure concluded.

Guterres, 67, is the first former head of government to become UN chief.

His appointment comes at a time of global anxiety over the ongoing war in Syria, the refugee crisis and raging conflicts in South Sudan and Yemen. He has pledged to work as a "bridge-builder" and "honest broker."

According to an AFP article the new UN Secretary General has said that "the dramatic problems of today's complex world can only inspire a humble approach," adding that the UN chief "alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views."

Guterres has also pledged to promote human rights and enact reforms within the UN system. According to the AFP article, he has pledged to make gender parity a priority of his reforms during his five-year term at the world body.

Guterres was previously the UN refugee chief for a decade until last December.