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Selection Process for Next UN Secretary-General Starts with Candidate Dialogues
The United Nations has begun the selection process for the successor to Secretary-General António Guterres. Four candidates participated in interactive dialogues on April 21 and 22, answering questions from member states and civil society groups. The process includes Security Council straw polls expected to start in July, leading to a final appointment by the General Assembly.
Apr 22, 10:48 AM·2m read1 source
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The United Nations initiated the selection process for the successor to Secretary-General António Guterres this week at its headquarters in New York. Candidates answered questions about their credentials during interactive dialogues held on April 21 and 22.
These events were livestreamed and involved participation from member states and civil society groups. Four candidates, each nominated by at least one member state, underwent three-hour sessions. U.N. General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the process in an introductory video as potentially the world's hardest job interview.
Many member states sent their chief U.N. ambassadors to the dialogues, which took place in a chamber seating around 700 people. Questions covered topics including technical issues, impartiality, and multilingualism. Among the candidates, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, participated on April 21.
During his session, Grossi answered a question from the European Union in French. Three candidates had been campaigning for months prior to the dialogues.
Charter states that the secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Security Council conducts secret straw polls, expected to begin in July, requiring support from at least nine members, including all five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In 2016, Guterres went through six straw-poll rounds starting in July and received the council's nomination on October 5. The General Assembly could reject a Security Council recommendation in a secret ballot of 193 member states, though this has not occurred.
