On 11 September, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that provides an excellent basis for creating an open, transparent and merit-based process to select the UN Secretary-General. The resolution, adopted without a vote, marks an end to the secretive and outdated selection process. But more needs to be done to make it robust.
As co-founder of 1 for 7 Billion which campaigns for an improved process to select the next UN leader, UNA-UK welcomes this development. The resolution is a major step up from previous resolutions on this issue and, if implemented, will make the process significantly more transparent, inclusive, and fair.
The resolution contains the following important elements, all of which are supported by the campaign:
- A call for a joint letter by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to start the selection process by soliciting candidate nominations in a 'timely manner'. The 1 for 7 Billion campaign believes the letter must include a deadline for nominations and should be sent no later than October;
- A list of basic selection criteria, including, "proven leadership and managerial abilities, extensive experience in international relations and strong diplomatic, communication and multilingual skills";
- The circulation of candidates' names and their CVs by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council on an ongoing basis;
- A decision to conduct informal dialogues or meetings with candidates. 1 for 7 Billion believes these meetings must be open and allow for interaction with all member states and civil society;
- An invitation to member states to present women candidates while continuing to stress that "the best possible candidate" must be appointed.
The resolution also establishes an active and supportive role for the President of the General Assembly to monitor and review implementation of all resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on the selection process. These provisions create an excellent basis for the President of the General Assembly to play a proactive role in shaping an open, transparent and merit-based process with a role for civil society, and to initiate a debate on the length of term of appointment, as the Assembly required in Resolution 51/241.
Regrettably, two major proposals were dropped from the resolution: a request that the Security Council present more than one candidate to the General Assembly and the length of the Secretary-General’s term. Despite support from the majority of member states, including the Non-Aligned Movement and the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, Russia, China and the United States reportedly opposed even the discussion of these topics.
1 for 7 Billion believes that these proposals would enhance the inclusivity of the process and the independence of future Secretaries-General. However, nothing prevents the General Assembly from discussing these proposals in the next session, and indeed, it should do so.
