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S. Africa wants to establish close working relation with new UN chief

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The South African government said on Friday that it looks forward to establishing a close working relationship with next UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The South African government extends its warm congratulations to Guterres from Portugal following his appointment by the United Nations General Assembly as the organization's next Secretary-General, said Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

South Africa believes it was due to the concerted efforts by the membership of the General Assembly to regain its Charter-mandated role in the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General that enabled the appointment of such an exceptional candidate, Monyela said.

In his vision statement to the General Assembly, Guterres highlighted a number of priority issues that are aligned with South Africa's foreign policy objectives, said Monyela.

These include viewing security and development as a continuum not to be pursued separately; emphasizing the importance of preventive diplomacy aimed at achieving political solutions based on inclusive engagement; and increased cooperation with regional organizations, according to Monyela.

Guterres served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015.

He will serve a five-year term from Jan. 1 ,2017 to Dec. 31, 2021. Endit