1 for 7 Billion has reached at a crucial stage in its work to find the best possible Secretary-General. Seven candidates have already come forward and many of our reforms are being implemented.
1 for 7 Billion asks all candidates to commit publicly to serving a single term of office
1 for 7 Billion makes the case for the Secretary-General to stand for a single term
The 1 for 7 Billion campaign has published a statement setting out the arguments for the UN Secretary-General to stand for a single, non-renewable term of office. The paper has been released ahead of a General Assembly debate on this proposal on 29 February.
The first Sec-Gen was elected, not appointed
70 years ago today, Trygve Lie became the first UN Secretary-General. Following his recommendation by the Security Council, the General Assembly held a secret ballot, which saw Lie, a former Norwegian foreign minister, elected with 46 votes to 3 and two abstentions (the video below shows the voting).
Leading UN experts call for "courageous" UN leader to serve single term of office
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.