António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres (b. 1949). The ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations (U.N.), serving since January 1, 2017. Guterres previously held roles as Prime Minister of Portugal (1995–2002) and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2005–2015). [Luce Index™ score: 93/100]
He is recognized globally for championing multilateralism, climate action, conflict resolution, and humanitarian aid.
His tenure emphasizes sustainable development, gender equality, and reforming the U.N. system to better address 21st-century challenges like pandemic response and geopolitical fragmentation.
Guterres rose to prominence in Portuguese politics with the Socialist Party, serving as prime minister during a period of economic growth and social modernization.
His leadership at UNHCR coincided with record-high global displacement due to conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and South Sudan, where he advocated for refugee rights and burden-sharing among nations.
As Secretary-General, Guterres has prioritized the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, declaring climate change an “existential threat” and urging drastic emissions reductions.
He mediated crises in Libya, Yemen, and Ukraine, while condemning violations of international law and human rights.
Guterres also pushed for U.N. Security Council reform, digital cooperation, and equitable vaccine distribution during COVID-19.