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1 for 7 Billion exposes country positions on reform of UN Sec-Gen selection process

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1 for 7 Billion exposes country positions on reform of UN Sec-Gen selection process

New research by the 1 for 7 Billion campaign reveals that just three countries could block proposals supported by the vast majority of UN member states to improve the secretive and undemocratic process to select the UN Secretary-General. 

Launched today on the 1 for 7 Billion website, the interactive map reveals that China, Russia and the United States oppose any change to the current process by which the UN leader is appointed. At present, there is no formal job description, no selection criteria, no timetable or official list of candidates. Backroom deals are common, and the process is dominated by the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.

Click here to view the map of support

The need for greater transparency from countries is increasingly urgent. Candidates for the UN's top job are already coming forward and discussions have commenced in the Security Council. The UN General Assembly is due to adopt a resolution on this issue in September which could determine whether 2016 will see a fairer selection process and a strong UN leader appointed.

Where does the UK stand?

The UK has been identified as a 2nd-tier supporter of the campaign's proposals, having spoken out in favour of three of 1 for 7 Billion's ten recommendations: (1) improved dialogue between UN member states and prospective candidates; (2) gender equality in the selection process; and (3) a formal timeline for the selection process.

The United Kingdom has also exercised some leadership on this issue. Speaking at a Security Council "wrap-up session" last month, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Matthew Rycroft, encouraged the Council to "take the lead" in advancing reforms which were widely supported by UN member states at a General Assembly debate in April.

Whilst UNA-UK welcomes the UK's support to date, we encourage the UK Mission to broaden its public support to include other key proposals for reform, including Security Council nomination of more that one candidate to the UN General Assembly and advocacy for a single, seven-year term of office. This would allow the UK to be identified as a top-tier supporter for an improved process, aligned with countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica and Liechtenstein. 

A collaborative work between UNA-UK and the World Federalist Movement, the map is accompanied by an easily-navigable chart, which can be downloaded as a PDF.

UNA-UK is a Steering Committee member of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign, which represents over 150 civil society organisations worldwide, with more than 170 million members in all UN regions. The campaign believes that the world deserves a fair, open, inclusive and – above all – merit-based process that allows all states to select from the world’s most competent women and men.