Sri Lanka pledges to work closely with the new UN Chief

New York: Sri Lanka has pledged to work closely with the new Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres of Portugal in upholding the objectives of the UN Charter.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, while bringing wishes to the new Secretary-General designate, assured Sri Lanka’s support and cooperation and reaffirmed commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

“As the Government and the people of Sri Lanka make the historic journey to achieve sustainable peace, reconciliation and development, we look forward to the continued support and assistance of the UN, under your able leadership,” Minister Samaraweera said in his statement.

The UN General Assembly, on the recommendation of the UN Security Council, unanimously appointed António Guterres of Portugal as the next Secretary General of the United Nations on Thursday (13 October 2016) in New York.

Chairs of the five regional groups and the Permanent Representative of the host country Ambassador Samantha Power welcomed the appointment of Guterres, noting that a historically rigorous and transparent process had led to the selection of the best candidate for the job.

Guterres in his remarks said he was grateful and humbled by the appointment and would do his best to carry out his mandate with a profound sense of responsibility.

“I am fully aware of the challenges and limitations of the job and that can only inspire a humble approach,” he said. Guterres pledged to work as a “convener, bridge builder and honest broker” in the service of humanity.

Following the formal appointment in the General Assembly Hall, Guterres received Permanent Representatives of Missions where Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Dr. Rohan Perera congratulated the Secretary General Designate, and pledged to work closely with the new Secretary General in upholding the objectives of the UN Charter.

Guterres recalling his visit to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami, noted that Sri Lanka having overcome the challenges of the past was now headed for a bright future.