Mavic Cabrera Balleza, Ben Donaldson and Anne Marie Goetz write on what latest research shows about members states support for appointing a feminist woman as the next Secretary-General

1 for 8 Billion’s discussion paper, circulated to all member states, asks them to seize the last opportunity to implement reforms in the General Assembly before the next Secretary-General selection process begins later this year.

The 1 for 8 Billion Campaign is proud to welcome five new campaign partners. Our partners bring a diverse range of expertise and are vital for ensuring that voices from across the globe can contribute to shaping the UN Secretary-General's selection process in 2026.

First published in Opinio Juris. Natalie Samarasinghe, co-founder of 1 for 8 Billion, highlights how General Recommendation 40 (GR40) lays a strong foundation for making gender parity in leadership a legal requirement.