“It wasn't a job interview.” Hołownia comments on the meeting with the UN Secretary General
The Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Szymon Hołownia, applying for the function of the High UN Commissioner for Refugees, said on Friday after meeting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that “it was not a job interview.” He added that it was a “familiarity” meeting.
On Friday, Hołownia met in New York with the chairwoman of the 80th UN General Assembly of the Baerbock. As reported by the Media Office of the Chancellery of the Sejm, then Hołownia was to meet around 21.30 Polish time with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
After meeting Guterres in an interview with TVP Info, the Hołownia was asked, among others about whether he would be a high UN Commissioner for Refugees. – No such commitments were made – he noted. He added that it was a “familiarity” meeting. “We exchanged comments about what is happening in the world today,” he said.
To beyond the fact that Hołownia arrived “for a specific purpose”, he replied that he came “above all to meet Polonia.” – Pułaski's parade, six meetings with Polish diaspora organizations along the way. A very abundant program, but also a meeting with Annalena Baerbock and Antonio Guterres – he added.
Hołownia said that he was also asked about “the situation in Poland with President Nawrocki and Prime Minister Tusk” – so unfortunately I have to disappoint. It was not a job interview – he said.
As he said, the meeting went “very well, very calmly”. – The Secretary General was with his closest colleagues, with their strong team. They carefully listened to what I brought them as a Polish perspective, what the world looks like today. We talked about the cognitive war, which today so many minds (…) affect how to effectively manage the crises that appear today – he informed.
He added that Guterres “also spoke about his experiences when he was a high commissioner (UN – PAP) for refugees.” – I said about my experiences, about my work, such fieldwork in the foundations I founded, which I led. I have the impression that we have – of course, there is a age difference, experience – but also a similar background help. We went to politics through help – added Hołownia.
Asked if he had the impression that Guterres treats his candidacy very seriously, Hołownia said: – I think he really, if I can say, takes this candidacy very seriously. This is Poland's candidacy. This is not only mine and only some invention, but Poland stands behind this candidacy. A country that is also very carefully watched today – he added.
Hołownia pointed out that we have “not only a good position in the European Union, but also (…) good relations with the United States.” – We know what the United States relationship with the United Nations is today. It's difficult. Payments do not go as they should. There is a call – very strong – from the United States administration to the UN reform, very thorough – he added.
At the same time, he noted that “the process (…) to appoint another commissioner will last a month, one and a half.”
– These are hundreds of conversations. This is a short list, a short list of candidates who will be invited. Today, it is difficult to say who is the favorite, who is not, because today new candidates “caught up”, (…) so we will see – he added.
On Saturday, the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland will meet at the General Consulate of the Republic of Poland in New York with representatives of Polish diaspora organizations. On Sunday, Hołownia will take part in New York in the 88th Pulaski Parade; The parade will pass under the slogan “1000th anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland”.
On Monday, Hołownia announced that he had submitted an application in a public recruitment announced by the UN Secretary General for the High UN Commissioner for Refugees. He estimated that the chances of taking this position by him are not great at the moment, but a week earlier – as he said – “they were not at all.”
The High United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) elected by the UN General Assembly for a five -year term of office is responsible for protecting almost 130 million forced resettled and stateless people around the world. The term of office of the current Commissioner Filippo Grandi ends on December 31, 2025 (PAP)
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