NATO extends Secretary General Stoltenberg's mandate to October 2024

BRUSSELS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Jens Stoltenberg's mandate as the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be extended by a further year until Oct. 1, 2024, the transatlantic alliance announced on Tuesday.

In his speech following NATO's decision, Stoltenberg said the world is "more dangerous."

The decision is expected to be endorsed by NATO heads of state and government at the upcoming Vilnius Summit on July 11 and 12.

Mentioning the upcoming summit, Stoltenberg said that "bolstering NATO's deterrence and defense will be high on the agenda."

Stoltenberg became secretary general of the transatlantic organization on Oct. 1, 2014, after having been prime minister of Norway and a United Nations special envoy.

As the alliance's top international civil servant, his responsibilities include chairing the North Atlantic Council and other key bodies, and being the organization's main spokesperson.

The secretary-general is appointed by member states for a four-year term. It is the fourth time that Stoltenberg's mandate as NATO secretary general is extended.