Updated: Nov 18, 2020

Read here the note of support, from the President of IPDAL, for António Guterres’ candidacy for Secretary General of the United Nations (UN).

«From the outset, IPDAL has publicly promoted and supported António Guterres’ candidacy for Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Institute considers that the former Prime Minister of Portugal is a candidate with unparalleled political and parliamentary experience. António Guterres led one of the main political parties in Portugal and presided over the Socialist International, at a time when this organization had preponderance and international projection.

He also had government experience at the head of Portugal’s executive. Later, he was responsible for one of the most important agencies of the United Nations, precisely the one that deals with refugees, an unavoidable issue today. At UNHCR, his work was recognized as “exceptional”.

This vast political, parliamentary, executive, diplomatic and management CV of António Guterres is a mark that defines him as a great candidate for UN Secretary-General. The Portuguese, who won all the first votes for the position, knows very well the great problems and challenges facing the world. He has the ideal profile and the necessary dialogue skills to resolve many of these problems. He knows the United Nations machine well. And it comes from Portugal, a country friendly to all countries.

It is for all these reasons that, as President of IPDAL, I express my complete enthusiasm for this candidacy. António Guterres participated in the 5th Meeting “Strategic Triangle: Latin America – Europe – Africa”, organized by IPDAL in May 2016. On this occasion, he demonstrated great knowledge and approach to topics that concern the three continents and Atlantic triangulation. As President of IPDAL, I have taken every opportunity to promote the qualities of candidate António Guterres. I did it several times: in IPDAL initiatives in Lisbon. In Madrid, in Washington and in several countries in Asia and Africa where I have been in the last few weeks. Today, here in New York, I witnessed the enormous projection and importance that this candidacy is achieving, as demonstrated by this morning’s vote at the UN Security Council. António Guterres will be a great Secretary General of the United Nations.

Paulo Neves, New York September 9, 2016»