UN “Time for a woman at the top,” says Guterres – Baerbock agrees | EUROtoday

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who’s leaving workplace on the finish of the yr, has clearly spoken out in favor of a lady as his successor. “It is clearly time for a woman to lead the United Nations,” Guterres mentioned at his conventional opening press convention in New York. “I have no doubt about that.”

Guterres has been Secretary General since 2017, and the Portuguese’s second and remaining time period expires on the finish of 2026. Until then, the successor should be organized. In the historical past of the United Nations, no girl has ever held the highest workplace. “But the truth is – whether at the United Nations or in the leadership positions of the most powerful countries in the world – it is time to see women,” Guterres mentioned.

The UN General Assembly will vote on Guterres’ successor based mostly on a proposal from the UN Security Council. The President of the UN General Assembly, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, has additionally spoken out in favor of a lady.

An group that advocates for ladies’s and human rights has “not managed to have a woman at its head in 80 years.” This is “no longer up to date,” Baerbock advised the “Politico” e-newsletter in October.

It has now known as on member states to appoint their candidates to succeed Guterres by the start of April. So far there may be formally just one candidate – the 64-year-old head of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, Rafael Grossi. He was nominated by his dwelling nation Argentina.

Guterres: “Prevent protesters from paying with their lives”

In view of the typically brutal actions of 1000’s of federal officers within the US state of Minnesota, Guterres additionally known as on the US emergency providers to indicate restraint. “We see the right to demonstrate as an essential right,” mentioned Guterres. “Here, as in other parts of the world,” it’s “essential that the police and other emergency services exercise essential restraint to prevent demonstrators from paying with their lives for their activities,” he emphasised.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has despatched 1000’s of federal brokers to the town of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota to implement its robust deportation insurance policies. In Minneapolis, the crackdown on migrants met with huge resistance from the inhabitants. After emergency providers fatally shot two US residents, outrage and protests unfold throughout the nation. The White House has introduced investigations, however there are doubts about their independence.

UN chief Guterres mentioned he hoped the investigations introduced “in the context of a democratic society” would produce outcomes.

Guterres criticizes China and USA for geopolitics

At the annual press convention, Guterres additionally complained concerning the geopolitical habits of China and the United States. “Global problems will not be solved when one power is in charge. Nor will they be solved when two powers divide the world into rival spheres of influence,” he mentioned.

When requested, he confirmed that by one energy he meant the USA and by two powers the USA and China. Instead, the world should depend on “multipolarity” – “with networks, inclusive design and the ability to create balance through partnerships, partnerships through trade, technology and international cooperation,” mentioned Guterres.