Statement from CWS President and CEO on the Appointment of António Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations


October 13, 2016

“On behalf of CWS—a global humanitarian organization and one of nine U.S. resettlement agencies—I extend my heartfelt congratulations to António Guterres on his appointment as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. 

“Today, the global community faces a host of common challenges we must confront—together. Not the least of these is addressing the dire and pressing reality that more than 65 million people worldwide have now been forcibly displaced from their homes.

“As CWS has consistently called for in the past, the world urgently demands bolder leadership and close international cooperation by all actors to effectively mitigate our mutual issues at hand. History will judge us on the intensity and resoluteness of our collective efforts to help the most vulnerable. Now more than ever, we must open our hearts and offer a hand of compassion to those in need—to all those in the most unfathomable and precarious circumstances any one of us could have easily been in by a different twist of fate. 

“Guterres’ extensive experience and previous post as the former UN High Commissioner for Refugees will undoubtedly bolster his ability—and sensitivity—in this decisive role, particularly as we grapple with the largest global displacement crisis in recorded history. CWS stands encouraged by the UN’s selection of such a qualified and dedicated leader, and we look forward to Secretary General-elect Guterres officially stepping in to this pivotal position next year. 

“We are filled with confidence and optimism on a productive partnership to come. Welcome aboard, Secretary-General Guterres.”

Media Contact

Christina Levin, media@cwsglobal.org