On 2 July representatives of the 1 for 8 Billion campaign briefed the Permanent Representatives of the member states of the ACT group - a cross-regional group of 27 small and mid-sized countries working to improve the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency of the UN Security Council.
Hosted by the Switzerland’s UN Permanent Representative, Ambassador Frank Grütter, 1 for 8 Billion was invited to present the findings of our recent report on “Backroom Deals” exploring the trade in promises for support between member states and candidates for UN Secretary-General.
In his presentation, report co-author Ben Donaldson explained that the research contains credible allegations that all permanent members of the Security Council have put undue pressure on candidates in the UN’s history, often in a bid to secure top jobs for their nationals. Mr Donaldson illustrated how backroom deals can stymie UN reform efforts as powerful states look to safeguard their status and national priorities at the UN. In her presentation, Campaign Coordinator Aditi Gorur outlined proposals for action on this issue, highlighting the need for mobilisation by the wider UN membership to strengthen the ability of candidates and stakeholders to push back on inappropriate pressure.
Following the event, the Swiss UN Mission highlighted the event on their socials, remarking that “Our discussion explored what these practices could mean for the next Secretary-General's ability to maintain the trust of Member States while preserving the independence needed to appoint the strongest possible senior leadership team…𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. We will continue to advocate for a process based on merit and integrity, while opposing any efforts that could undermine its credibility.”
1 for 8 Billion would like to thank the Swiss Mission to the UN and the ACT group for hosting this timely discussion.
Images: Event photos taken by the Swiss Mission to the UN