Explainer: Financial disclosures
Increasing transparency in campaigns for Secretary-General
1 for 8 Billion has campaigned for financial transparency and declarations of conflicts of interest in the Secretary-General selection process since launching in 2014. This briefing looks at the rules around campaign financing and disclosures by candidates in the 2026 race. Part of 1 for 8 Billion’s briefing series looking at key dimensions of the process.
The need for financial disclosures from UN senior staff is well established within the system; indeed, confidential financial disclosure statements are required for senior staff positions. The UN Ethics Office administers the UN's financial disclosure program and reviews the statements for conflicts of interest. Furthermore, the Secretary-General encourages voluntary public disclosure of such statements by senior officials. At a minimum, candidates for Secretary-General should be held to the same standard.
While the requirement for financial disclosures was not part of the official 2015/16 Secretary-General selection process, our direct advocacy led to some candidates voluntarily sharing relevant information. For example, one candidate at the time, Danilo Turk, told us that his campaign was funded by the government of Slovenia, with a spending limit of 40,000 euros (approximately $46,000). Such disclosures were the exception, not the rule.
This briefing goes into the General Assembly resolutions governing financial disclosures, what disclosures have been made so far by candidates and proposals for strengthening transparency.