The Party of European Socialists warmly welcomes the decision of the UN Security Council to endorse António Guterres as Secretary General of the United Nations. As European Socialists and Democrats, we are sure that a prominent member of our political family and a former President of the Socialist International, will show a clear commitment in trying to make the world a better place.

PES President Sergei Stanishev said: "On behalf of the Party of European Socialists, I want to congratulate António on this achievement and to highlight that he has our full support in this great challenge. His background as a High Commissioner for Refugees provides him with a unique sensitivity and perspective to address the challenges our world is facing. He is a good politician and good man. I am sure that in the future we all will be talking about ‘Guterres era’ in the UN."

Guterres was the Prime Minister of Portugal for two terms and he achieved economic progress with a particular emphasis on redistribution. As United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees he was devoted to defending Human Rights and he sent an early warning about ongoing worldwide migration.

Stanishev said: "António is the right person for the job, his character and his way of making politics, always reaching out for other people’s opinion, is just what an office like the UN Secretary General requires.  I may use this opportunity to thank Ban Ki-moon for his work and for his contribution to the negotiations with Iran, the peace process in Colombia and the Paris agreement on Climate Change."