The new United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Sunday he would like to make 2017 a year to "put peace first," in a message heralding the new year and marking his first day as the world body's chief.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left, clasps hands with U.N. Secretary-General designate Antonio Guterres after Guterres was sworn in at U.N. headquarters. Guterres takes the reins of the United Nations on New Year's Day.
The Portuguese former prime minister, 67, took over as UN Secretary-general from South Korea's Ban Ki-moon, inheriting complex crises in Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, North Korea and elsewhere.
"How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight?" Guterres said.
AFP
