The 1 for 7 Billion campaign has written to all members of the UN Security Council calling for a transparent and timely selection process, as the Council begins discussing candidates for the role of UN Secretary-General later this month.
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.
1 for 7 Billion urges action at upcoming UN debate
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
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).
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.
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’.