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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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. 

1 for 7 Billion urges Security Council to act now to start selection process

The 1 for 7 Billion campaign urges all members of the Security Council to agree to start the process of selecting the next UN Secretary-General immediately in a transparent and inclusive manner. The Presidents of the Council and the General Assembly should promptly write the joint letter that sets out the entire process and invites presentation of candidates ‘in a timely manner’.

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.