The appointment was made on April 19 by the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, after a close competition. Among the candidates was an Angolan diplomat.

Leonardo Simão was Mozambique's Itinerant Ambassador in charge of promoting Mozambique's candidacy for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

Executive Director of the Joaquim Chissano Foundation, Leonardo Simão is a doctor who graduated from the Eduardo Mondlane University. In the past, he held the positions of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, from 1994 to 2005, and Minister of Health, from 1986 to 1994.