The UN Secretary-General plays a crucial role in tackling global challenges and improving the lives of seven billion people. It is vital that the best person is chosen for the job. But the selection process is secretive and outdated. Just five countries hold sway over a decision that affects us all. The next Secretary-General will be appointed in 2016.

Individuals from across the world as well as organisations including Amnesty International, Avaaz, Forum Asia and more than 100 others are already on board. Eminent personalities like Kofi Annan and increasing numbers of governments support our aims. Candidates are putting themselves forward. Horse-trading is already underway. We need to act now.

The world needs good leadership. Join our campaign to get the Secretary-General we need.

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LATEST
Snap Reaction: Initial Readout from Secretary-General Candidate Dialogues
Snap Reaction: Initial Readout from Secretary-General Candidate Dialogues

1 for 8 Billion is at the UN to follow the interactive dialogues with Secretary-General candidates, where they are facing questions from member states and civil society. Read our key takeaways from each session.

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Launch: Project to Scrutinize Candidate Policies
Launch: Project to Scrutinize Candidate Policies

1 for 8 Billion partners with 14 leading NGOs to analyze candidates’ policy positions on core UN challenges.

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Launch: Principles for Integrity in UN Secretary-General Campaigns
Launch: Principles for Integrity in UN Secretary-General Campaigns

1 for 8 Billion asks all candidates to uphold five commitments during their SG campaigns.

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SG Candidates to Face Questions before General Assembly on 21-22 April
SG Candidates to Face Questions before General Assembly on 21-22 April

The President of the General Assembly has announced the schedule for interactive dialogues with all UN Secretary-General candidates taking place on the 21 and 22 of April. The dialogues will be broadcast live on UN Web TV.

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Explainer: a focus on financial disclosures
Explainer: a focus on financial disclosures

1 for 8 Billion has campaigned for financial transparency and declarations of conflicts of interest in the Secretary-General selection process since launching in 2014. This briefing looks at the rules around campaign financing and disclosures by candidates in the 2026 race.

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Gamba Withdraws from SG Race
Gamba Withdraws from SG Race

On 25 March, the Maldives withdrew its nomination of Virginia Gamba as a candidate for UN Secretary-General. The Maldives had nominated Gamba just two weeks earlier on 12 March.

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Bachelet’s Candidacy to Continue after One of Three Nominating States Withdraws Support
Bachelet’s Candidacy to Continue after One of Three Nominating States Withdraws Support

Yesterday Chile announced that it is withdrawing its support for Secretary-General candidate Michelle Bachelet, a candidate Chile nominated together with Brazil and Mexico on 2 February. Bachelet’s candidacy remains intact since her nomination retains the support of two nominating states. 

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Explainer: A focus on nominations
Explainer: A focus on nominations

This briefing shines a spotlight on the dynamics around nominations for Secretary-General, how the mechanism has evolved over time and suggestions for further improvement. It is part of a briefing series on the key dimensions of the process.

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1 for 8 Billion Welcomes New Campaign Coordinator
1 for 8 Billion Welcomes New Campaign Coordinator

1 for 8 Billion is delighted to welcome Aditi Gorur as its new Campaign Coordinator. Aditi brings more than 15 years of experience working on UN reform and multilateral peace and security.


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1 for 8 Billion: Rethinking Leadership at a Time of Multilateral Crisis
1 for 8 Billion: Rethinking Leadership at a Time of Multilateral Crisis

This article, originally published by Southern Voice, examines the UN Secretary-General selection process against the backdrop of the current crisis of multilateral leadership and reflects the authors’ joint analysis at the time of publication.

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