"The most serious obstacles to the entry of African countries into the UN Security Council have been overcome," he said. - A consensus has been reached according to which two African countries will become permanent members of the Security Council. I am sure that I will not finish my mandate as UN Secretary General without seeing African countries as permanent members of the UN Security Council."

Guterres added that the influence of the global South on the work of the UN is now crucial. "The countries of the global South represent the majority of the global community," Guterres said. "They have the most decisive influence on the work of the UN."

Guterres is touring southern Africa. Next Thursday, he will take part in celebrations in Lesotho, reports tass.ru.