New York, 20 April 2006 — On 19 April 2006, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly held its second thematic discussion, which focused on the General Assembly’s role in the selection of the Secretary-General. During this meeting the co-chairs also provided a welcomed overview of the Security Council President’s briefing to the GA President on the status of consultations on the selection process.

Countries and regional groups that spoke in support of an enhanced role for the GA in the selection of the Secretary-General included the following: European Union, Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Liechtenstein, Belarus, Indonesia, Mongolia, Switzerland, Pakistan, Thailand, Republic of Korea, India, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Malaysia, Morocco, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Various countries noted that the current process was a disservice to the credibility of the organization, while most agreed that the General Assembly should play a more active and informed role in the evaluation and selection of the Secretary-General. The representative from Saint Kitts and Nevis emphasized that the fact that no woman had yet been selected over the course of 60 years was itself proof that the process was in need of reform. The Mongolian representative, noting that the selection process for the UN Secretary-General mirrored elections in Mongolia under communism, questioned why a replica of this old practice should survive in the United Nations.

Given the momentum created by the UN reform process, there is a sense that more open consultations on the selection of the next Secretary-General would provide a good basis for a new period of enhanced transparency at the UN. Most countries that spoke expressed support for a system of regional rotation favoring Asia for the next term. The concern was raised that the reassignment of tasks to the Deputy Secretary-General, as suggested by the Secretary-General in his recent report on investing in a stronger UN, could lead to the creation of two equally powerful Secretariat posts.

The Canadian Proposal

The Canadian government, which submitted a non-paper on this issue earlier this year, has taken the lead in pushing for a more transparent and inclusive selection process, outlining five key proposals:

• A clear articulation of qualities sought in a Secretary-General
• Systematic means for identification of candidates such as through a Selections Committee
• Mechanisms to allow member states to assess, evaluate and become familiar with candidates such as through formal or informal plenary sessions
• Establishment of a deadline for candidacies
• Consideration of a single term of office

The ambassador recognized that it will not be possible to implement all proposals before the next selection, but that it was nonetheless an appropriate time to initiate a process of reform.

Click here to access the Canadian statement

Click here to access the Canadian Non-Paper

Other Proposals

A number of other proposals were made during the session including the following:

• The Security Council should recommend at least three candidates to the General Assembly to select from and should explain why those three were selected from the broader set of candidates. The Canadian ambassador warned that such a process could serve to undermine the legitimacy of the appointed Secretary-General.
• The GA should initiate a polling process that identifies where majority support lies within the General Assembly to guide the Security Council in making its final recommendation
• Formalization of a regional rotation system
• Candidates should be asked to identify who they would select as their Deputy Secretary-General
• GA Member States should have opportunities to meet with candidates while candidates should have the opportunity to present their vision for strengthening the UN – this could take place through the International Peace Academy, regional groups, informal or formal plenary sessions, etc.
• Establishment of a preliminary selection process in which regional groups can hold consultations with candidates from their region
• Implementation of and amendment to GA resolutions 51/241 and 11/1 or the adoption of a new GA resolution that outlines concrete measures to enhance the GA’s role in the selection process
• Various countries expressed that candidates should possess some of the following qualities: strong leadership qualities, political and diplomatic skills, ability to restore confidence in the UN system, broad experience in international relations, ease in communicating, commitment to transparency, commitment to UN principles

Resources

GA Resolution 11/1

GA Resolution 51/241

Government statements on the GA’s role in the selection of the Secretary-General