António Guterres: A Career in Public Service Born April 30, 1949, António Guterres is the ninth UN Secretary-General, a position he assumed in 2017. A prominent figure in the Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), his political career spans decades. From 1995 to 2002, he served as Portugal's Prime Minister, leading the PS to electoral victory in 1995. His tenure, however, concluded with a defeat in the 2001 local elections, followed by a general election loss in 2002 to the Social Democratic Party. Despite this setback, later polls consistently ranked him among Portugal's most successful Prime Ministers. Guterres' leadership extended beyond national politics. He helmed the Socialist International from 1999 to 2005 and served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 2005 to 2015, a role that significantly shaped his global profile. His election as UN Secretary-General marked a return to international diplomacy, making him the first European to hold the post since 1981. His current term is focused on multilateralism, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable development. His long and distinguished career is characterized by a commitment to international cooperation and social justice.