News of a new candidate, Kristalina Georgieva, to the UN Secretary-General race raises concerns that all candidates should undergo scrutiny by the public and wider UN membership, as the reformed selection process is implemented for the first time.
By adopting General Assembly Resolution 69/321, all UN member states acknowledged the need to improve the Secretary-General selection process, and set out steps to make it more transparent and inclusive, including through the presentation of candidates in a “timely manner” and the opportunity for candidates to present their vision during informal dialogues at the General Assembly.
We are pleased that the new President of the General Assembly, H.E. Peter Thomson, remains committed to the reformed process - including his public commitment to hold informal dialogues with candidates as they emerge - and welcome his desire to “[build] on the standards of transparency and inclusiveness” set by his predecessor.
In this regard, UNA-UK looks forward to future candidates working with Mr Thomson to ensure that dialogues are held in a timely fashion and include civil society participation.
We also call on all candidates to ensure they allow sufficient time to present their vision for the role, and to engage with civil society and the public.
Whilst we welcome the strongest possible field of candidates, it is important both for the standing of the Organisation and the legitimacy of the Office of the Secretary-General that any future post-holder for the UN’s top job has participated in the process agreed by all UN member states.
Photo: Peter Thomson, President of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly. Copyright UN Photo
