As we approach the critical phase in the selection and appointment of the UN Secretary-General, 1 for 8 Billion together with members of its NGO coalition, has written to members of the Security Council to urge support for transparency, fairness and integrity in the process.

Specifically, 1 for 8 Billion is calling on the Security Council and its members to:

Publish the results of all straw polls on candidates and refrain from the use of two-tier (colour-coded) ballots that distinguish the votes of permanent and elected members;
Recognise the importance of General Assembly candidate dialogues and support the principle that all candidates should be held to the same standards of public scrutiny ahead of Security Council straw polls;
Adopt objective, transparent criteria for assessing candidates grounded in the formal qualifications and the widely recognized competencies, qualities and desirable professional experience identified by member states and civil society;
Announce that they will not compromise the independence of candidates, including conditioning their support for candidates on promises of senior UN positions for their nationals;
Make history by ending the 80 year wait for a Madam Secretary-General.

The letter together with the first tranche of signatures was delivered to Security Council members on 10 September. The initiative will remain open for signature until the end of the UN’s High Level Week. If you represent a civil society organisation that agrees with these demands then please consider adding your organisation's endorsement to this letter here.

For media enquiries please email info@1for8billion.org.