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UN Debates Further Reform of the Secretary-General Selection Process

Last week, all Member States were invited to speak at a UN debate on the appointment of the next Secretary-General.  As the debate revealed, Member States are still committed to establishing the strongest possible selection process—and would adopt further reforms to make it happen.  

Majority of states support discussion of single term, multiple candidates proposals

1 for 7 Billion has launched two new documents showing where every UN Member State stands on two urgent proposals for reform: the appointment of the Secretary-General for a single, non-renewable term of between five and ten years, and the recommendation of multiple candidates by the Security Council to the General Assembly.  

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1 for 7 Billion urges action at upcoming UN debate

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This week, the 1 for 7 Billion campaign sent a letter to all UN Member States urging them to consider specific reforms to further improve the selection process before the next Secretary-General is appointed at the end of the year. The letter comes ahead of a thematic debate on the selection and appointment of the UN Secretary-General, to take place at the UN’s New York headquarters on 22 March

The public wants a UN leader with "the courage to stand up to powerful countries"

In September 2015, 1 for 7 Billion launched a public poll to generate discussion on the role of the UN Secretary-General. The poll asked questions about the issues the next Secretary-General should prioritise and the qualities she or he should possess to be an effective leader of the United Nations.

Leading UN experts call for "courageous" UN leader to serve single term of office

Senior UN officials and prospective candidates for the position of Secretary-General have spoken out in favour of further reforms to the process by which the UN leader is selected.

World Federation of UN Associations backs calls for fairer Sec-Gen selection process

United Nations Associations worldwide have pledged their support for a fairer, more inclusive process to select the next UN Secretary-General. The resolution, passed by consensus at a recent conference, followed intensive campaigning by 1 for 7 Billion representatives. 

Member States Call for UNSG Selection Reform at 70th UN General Assembly

From 28 September to 3 October, the 70th session of the UN General Assembly held its general debate at UN headquarters in New York.  In line with the theme of the debate—“The United Nations at 70: a New Commitment to Action”—states from all regions took the opportunity to express their support for critical and timely changes to the appointment process for the Secretary-General. 

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.

UK Government endorses 1 for 7 Billion proposals at House of Lords debate

The British Government has backed 1 for 7 Billion’s calls for a fairer, more inclusive process to select the next UN Secretary-General at a rare House of Lords debate on UN effectiveness. 

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.

Reforming the UN

There is no silver bullet for UN reform, but a better way to select the Secretary-General comes close. Originally published in UNA-UK's flagship publication, New World, this article explores how improving UN leadership could be a first step to a more effective United Nations. 

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

Mary Robinson dubs selection process for UN chief as “morally inexcusable”

Former High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, painted the current UN Secretary-General selection process - the prerogative of just five countries – as “weak, opaque and, perhaps, even irrational”.

Al Jazeera: Is it time for a woman to lead the UN?

Recognising the absence of women in the UN's list of leaders, Al Jazeera speaks to 1 for 7 Billion about overhauling the process by which the UN Secretary-General is selected.