Mark the UN’s 70th anniversary with an open and transparent process to select the next Secretary-General

The 70th anniversary of the United Nations on 24 October is a unique opportunity for all states to enhance the UN’s authority by acting in the spirit of its Charter to create an open, transparent and inclusive process to select the best woman or man as the next UN Secretary-General

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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".