"Historic moment" as UN begins selecting next Secretary-General


The start of the process to begin selecting the next Secretary-General of the United Nations is being described as an "historic moment" for the organization.

Eight candidates, four women and four men, have so far been put forward by their respective governments for the job of what is often described as the world's top diplomat.
Daniel Dickinson has more details.

In an unprecedented move, all eight candidates for the post of Secretary-General, are due to appear before the General Assembly this week to state why he or she is the best person for the job.

They will answer questions from Member States as well as from civil society.


President of the General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft said: "Much of what we are embarking on today is without precedent at the UN. For the first time in this Organization's 70-year history, the process for selecting and appointing the next Secretary-General is being genuinely guided by principles of transparency and inclusivity – and the dialogues that we are beginning today are at the very core of this change."

The selection of the previous eight UN Secretaries-General has been dominated by the Security Council, one reason why Mr Lykketoft has called this process a "game-changer."


SOURCE: Daniel Dickinson, United Nations