1 for 8 Billion will be holding events with civil society and diplomats during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather at the UN in New York.
New ground rules for UN Secretary-General selection: financial transparency, a clearer structure, and a push for women candidates
1 for 8 Billion welcomes GQUAL as a Steering Committee member
1 for 8 Billion is delighted to welcome GQUAL as a member of the campaign Steering Committee.
GQUAL is a global campaign dedicated to achieving gender parity in international institutions, with a particular focus on bodies responsible for imparting international justice and developing international law.
South Africa and Romania circulate strong foundation to improve Secretary-General selection process
The zero draft contains measures which, if adopted, would create a more transparent, well-structured selection process with a more meaningful role for the General Assembly. While there are certain elements missing which we hope to see introduced during negotiations, overall, 1 for 8 BIllion welcomes the draft as a positive foundation to build on - read our commentary for more.
Bolivia Jumps the Gun With Early Candidate for UN Secretary-General
Originally published in PassBlue. Bolivia’s delegation to the United Nations circulated a letter to fellow member states announcing the nomination of the country’s Vice President David Choquehuanca as a candidate to succeed António Guterres as secretary-general of the UN. Guterres’s term finishes on Dec. 31, 2026.
AHWG elements paper sets positive tone
Ahead of the member state discussion of the upcoming resolution on the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) selection process, the AHWG co-facilitators circulated an ‘elements paper’ to all member states. 1 for 8 Billion welcomes this step and is pleased to see promising signs of progress towards a more transparent and open selection process.
1 for 8 Billion briefs ACT group of 27 member states
1 for 8 Billion briefed diplomats from the ACT group - a cross-regional group of 27 small and mid-sized countries . The presentation, delivered by 1 for 8 Billion’s Ben Donaldson, advocated for reforms to ensure a more open, inclusive process to select the next Secretary-General and opportunities for civil society collaboration in the upcoming process.