The 1 for 8 Billion campaign released a new report today shedding light on the secretive process by which powerful countries attempt to strike deals with Secretary-General candidates in exchange for their support.
The report, authored by Ben Donaldson and Fred Carver, examines how and why powerful member states — particularly the five permanent members of the Security Council — attempt to influence the appointment process by conditioning their support for candidates on special favors such as appointments for their nationals in senior UN leadership roles.
Although the practice has long been suspected, very little has previously been made public about these backroom deals. The new report draws on more than 40 interviews with former diplomats, candidates from previous races and former senior officials to offer examples of specific deals that have been struck or attempted between powerful countries and candidates over the UN’s history.
Backroom deals on top UN jobs contravene the UN Charter, exclude talented candidates from small and mid-sized countries, and risk an intake of political appointees that respond to the national interests of the powerful member states that recommended them instead of the UN Charter they are appointed to serve.
But the issue is particularly important this year because of the consequences for UN reform. Most member states have high expectations that the next Secretary-General will take bold action to reform the UN. If the incoming SG has already promised a slate of senior appointments to P5 countries, the current structures will be frozen in place and there will be little room for meaningful reform.
Four of the six current candidates — Michelle Bachelet, María Fernanda Espinosa, Rebeca Grynspan, and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett — have now pledged to uphold 1 for 8 Billion’s Principles for Integrity in UN Secretary-General Campaigns. These principles include a commitment to maintain independence from member states, including with respect to senior UN appointments.
The 1 for 8 Billion campaign hopes that the new report will encourage greater transparency and integrity in the Secretary-General selection process. Read the full report here.