(VOVworld) - Following a sixth secret ballot held Wednesday by the UN Security Council, Former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres emerged as the clear favorite to replace Ban Ki-moon as the next UN Secretary General for the 2017-2022 term. 

Former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres emerged as the clear favorite to replace Ban Ki-moon as the next UN Secretary General for the 2017-2022 term (Source: THX/TTXVN)

The result was confirmed by Vitaly Churkin, Russian ambassador to the UN, who noted that the Council would take a final formal vote on Thursday. The decision will then be formally submitted to the UN General Assembly for consideration. 

Mr Churkin’s formal announcement in the presence of Samantha Power, US Ambassador to the UN, and representatives of other UN Security Council member nations suggested that Mr. Guterres has the support of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, Britain, France, Russia, and China).