New UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlines his objectives on first day in office

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Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres began his first day in his new post as the UN Secretary-General on Tuesday. He addressed staff and diplomats about the need for an overhaul of the international organization, listing some major points he will focus on.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is seen participating in a wreath laying ceremony in memory of fallen UN staff in Visitors' Center lobby at the UN headquarters in New York on January 3, 2017. /CFP Photo

He said that amid skepticism about the role of the UN, it is important for the organization's staff to assert the value of their work and the need for multilateral solutions to global problems. He added it is not enough for the UN to do the right thing, but also earn the right to do the right thing.

There are several ways Guterres wants to do that and get more respect for the UN as an institution. First, place more women in top posts. He said gender parity is key, if the UN is to thrive, and he has already appointed a female deputy and a female chief of staff.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed attend a meeting with staff at the UN headquarters in New York on January 3, 2017. /CFP Photo

He wants what he calls a “culture of prevention” to focus on stopping crises before they start rather than managing them after they occur, which he said will mean starting better relationships with regional bodies.

He also said he would like to meet Donald Trump as soon as possible, which will presumably be part of his encouragement to assert the value of what the UN does, since the US President-elect has repeatedly criticized the organization.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to staff members at UN headquarters in New York on January 3, 2017. /CFP Photo

Guterres will need to try and build consensus with leaders to deal with major crises, such as Syria. We know he has already had what he described as an “excellent working meeting” with Russian President Vladimir Putin

There will be lots of pressure on Guterres to use his charisma and executive experience to find a peaceful solution to Syria where Ban Ki-moon could not.

(Reported by CGTN's Lorna Shaddick)