President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, makes clear his intention to drive forward proposals to improve the process to select the next UN Secretary-General.
UK Government endorses 1 for 7 Billion proposals at House of Lords debate
1 for 7 Billion launches interactive Map of Support
Reforming the UN
President-elect of the General Assembly meets 1 for 7 Billion delegation
Mary Robinson dubs selection process for UN chief as “morally inexcusable”
Al Jazeera: Is it time for a woman to lead the UN?
UNGA President-elect acknowledges widespread calls for reform
27 April debate: Urge states to speak up for a fairer process
With the help of its supporters, the 1 for 7 Billion campaign will create a social media storm on the morning of the 27 April debate to urge states to call for an end to the secretive, outdated appointment process that falls far short of basic recruitment standards
Elders urge thorough and open process irrespective of gender or region
1 for 7 Billion campaign causes "frisson of excitement at U.N.headquarters"
In his World Politics Review column, Richard Gowan argues that the next UN Secretary-General must choose between restoring the UN’s independence in pursuit of a bold internationalist agenda, or adopting a more cautious approach with the associated risks of 'political pulverization' in today's challenging geo-political landscape. He also finds that the 1 for 7 Billion campaign has caused "a frisson of excitement at U.N.headquarters".
Foreign Policy: The race for UN Secretary-General is rigged
In a detailed article for Foreign Policy, Colum Lynch laments the "utter lack of democratic process" in the elections for the world's "premier diplomatic job" and reviews the background of potential candidates from across the world. The article also describes the obstacles to opening up the selection process.
The Guardian quotes UN experts on need to overhaul selection process
The article highlights the launch of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign and quotes senior UN experts, including Sir Brian Urquhart and Edward Mortimer, on the major shortfalls of the current outdated selection process. The article also covers the campaign's open letter to world leaders calling for improvements to the appointment process, which was endorsed by a number of leading NGOs.
India calls for transparent selection process of UN Chief
In an article recently published in the Indian press, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations argues for a more inclusive and transparent procedure to appoint the UN Secretary-General, emphasising that the current process must change in order to support the wider interests of the UN.
New York Times covers 1 for 7 Billion campaign launch
Leading U.S. newspaper The New York Times published a comprehensive article covering the launch of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign. The article makes a strong case for reform of the outdated system to appoint the UN's leader and draws attention to the letter that 1 for 7 Billion campaign partners have sent to world leaders demanding action.
NGOs challenge world leaders on opaque and outdated process to select UN Secretary-General
1 for 7 Billion's NGO partners from across the world have written to all UN Member States to call for an open, fair and inclusive process to select the best possible candidate for Secretary-General of the UN.
IGP Journal: Secretary-General process more important than Security Council seat
Writing for Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft, Michèle Auga and Volker Lehmann make the case that Germany would benefit more from a democratically-elected Secretary-General more than a seat on the Security Council.