security council

Security Council Report releases debrief on the Secretary-General selection process

Security Council Report releases debrief on the Secretary-General selection process

Security Council Report has released its third and final Research Report on the recent Secretary-General selection process. The report provides a comprehensive account of developments in the Security Council and General Assembly from the beginning to the end of the proces

Open letter: UN staffers call for "the very best of candidates" to take UN top spot

Staff members of UN Departments, Funds, Programmes and Agencies have expressed their views on the type of Secretary-General that will help them continue to deliver the best possible implementation of the UN Charter and the mandates set by UN member states. The open letter below is available for signature by all UN staff members.

As UNGA meetings begin, candidates must display courage, integrity and commitment to transparency

1 for 7 Billion welcomes the meetings with UN Secretary-General candidates to be held in the General Assembly on 12-14 April. For the first time in the UN’s history, all UN member states will have the opportunity to engage with candidates through a structured process, taking forward the historic Resolution 69/321 adopted by the General Assembly last year.

Historic letter to commence selection of next UN Secretary-General

1 for 7 Billion welcomes the ground-breaking joint letter to be sent by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the appointment of the next UN Secretary-General in 2016. The letter marks – for the first time in the UN's history – the start of an official selection process for this crucial role.

High-level UN meeting pushes UNSG selection process forward

On Saturday 26 September, a host of countries, prominent individuals and civil society spoke up in favour not only of urgent action to implement landmark General Assembly Resolution 69/321, but also of striving for further improvements to the process to select the next UN Secretary-General.

General Assembly adopts historic resolution on improving Sec-Gen selection

1 for 7 Billion welcomes the landmark resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 11 September that provides an excellent basis for creating an open, transparent and merit-based process to select the UN Secretary-General. 

1 for 7 Billion launches interactive Map of Support

New research by the 1 for 7 Billion campaign shows that just three countries could block proposals supported by the vast majority of UN member states to improve the secretive and undemocratic process to select the UN Secretary-General.

1 for 7 Billion welcomes Security Council discussion on Secretary-General selection and calls for further action

Participants in the debate recognised the need for transparency in the selection process, that the General Assembly had an interest and role to play in meeting candidates, and that this was the opening of further discussions. 

President-elect of the General Assembly meets 1 for 7 Billion delegation

On 2 July, the newly elected President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft from Denmark, and his team met three members of the campaign’s Steering Committee

States call for change - 20-year stalemate could be broken

Monday’s UN General Assembly debate saw a near universal demand for transforming the way in which the UN appoints its next Secretary-General.

Elders urge thorough and open process irrespective of gender or region

In an opinion piece in the New York Times Kofi Annan and Gro Harlem Brundtland urge an immediate overhaul of the process to select the Secretary-General, echoing specific measures promoted in the 1 for 7 Billion campaign.

Top UN appointments should be based on merit, not power politics

The controversy surrounding the choice of a successor to Valerie Amos reinforces the principles of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign, which hold that merit, not nationality, should be the deciding factor when appointing senior UN officials.