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The United Nations (UN) security council has recommended a second term for António Guterres as secretary-general.

Announcing the recommendation during a meeting on Tuesday, the council described Guterres as a bridge-builder who has done well in his first term in office.

The security council has 15 states, with Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, as the permanent five that could have blocked Guterres’ chances.

“The Security Council, having considered the question of the recommendation for the appointment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, recommends to the General Assembly that Mr. António Guterres be appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations for a second term of office from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026,” Sven Jurgenson, Estonian ambassador and council president, read from a communique.

Reacting in a statement, Guterres thanked the council for the recommendation.

“The decision taken today by the Security Council to recommend to the General Assembly that I serve a second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations is a great honour. I am very grateful to the members of the Council for the trust they have placed in me. My gratitude also extends to Portugal for having nominated me again,” he said.

“It has been an immense privilege to be at the service of ‘we, the peoples’ and at the helm of the amazing women and men of this Organisation for the past four and a half years, when we have been facing so many complex challenges.

“Pursuing, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, the purposes and principles of the Charter is a most noble duty. I would be deeply humbled if the General Assembly were to entrust me with the responsibilities of a second mandate.”

The 193 members of the general assembly are expected to pass a consensus vote on June 18, as Guterres is running unchallenged.

Guterres, a former prime minster of Portugal and the ninth secretary-general of the UN, took office on January 1, 2017.