Skip to main content
WFUNA home

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

WFUNA home

Our Global Network

UNA Directory

UNA Activities

Establishing a UNA

WFUNA Youth Network

European UNA Network

Peace and Security

CSO Dialogues with the President of the UNSC

Security Council Debates & Briefings

UN Security Council Exit Briefings

Sustainable Development

Under the Starry Sky

16+ Forum

Dialogues at the UN

Human Rights

Human Rights in Action

Not under the UN Flag

Global Citizenship

Model UN

Mission Possible

Training Programs

Youth Camp: Korea

WFUNA Supporters

Youth Empowerment

Youth Participation at the UN

Youth Seminar Series

Young Leader of the Year

UN75

Media

Resources

FAQs

About WFUNA

Media & Newsroom

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

Back to News
  • Peace and Security

Historic WFUNA Debates Increase Transparency at the United Nations

#UNSCElections

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016

NEW YORK, NY, May 25, 2016 – The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) convened historic Security Council Election Debates with candidates for non-permanent seats in the upcoming elections on June 28th. Debates took place at UN Headquarters on May 23rd and 24th—first with Ambassadors of Thailand and Kazakhstan from the Asia-Pacific Group, and second with Ambassadors of Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden from the Western European & Other Group. 

Never before in its 70-year history has the UN seen open, public debates for UN Security Council candidates. Moderated by Mr. Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General of WFUNA, and Emoke Bebiak, UN correspondent from DPA German Press Agency, and current Member at Large of the Executive Committee of the United Nations Correspondents Association, the debates featured equal interaction throughout by both Member States and civil society.

“We’ve convened these debates in a non-partisan manner—with the backing of our global network—as part of our mandate to strengthen the UN” explained Mr. Golmohammadi. “Can you have too much openness and transparency? Probably. But the UN, we believe, is far from that threshold.”

The unique openness of the debates sets a precedent for increased transparency and participation at the UN Security Council and the UN more generally.

“Events such as this are vital to allow the UN community and the wider general public greater insight into the various platforms that each candidate is putting forward,” said Emoke Bebiak. “On June 28th, when the results are in, the UN Community as a whole will know what to expect from the incoming new members.”

Questions during the events probed candidate policy positions on issues such as Security Council reform, climate change, sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeeping missions, the role of youth as peace-builders, and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.  

Watch recordings of the Asia Pacific Group and of the Western European & Other Group if you missed the events. The conversation was hosted digitally using the hashtag #UNSCElections, which has received over 13 million Twitter impressions around the world to date. You can also read a summary here.

WFUNA plans to host the two remaining “clean-slate” candidates for a final debate prior to the June 28 election and will soon be reaching out to candidates for next year’s elections. For more information on this initiative, candidate platforms, and media coverage - visit here.

Preview each candidate's platform here!

  • Prev
  • Next

Related News and Events

Security Council Debates
June 9, 2018

Security Council Debates & Briefings

In May 2016, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) convened the first-ever United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Election Debates for Member States competing within their regional blocks for a non-Permanent seat on the Council. These debates are designed to open up the UNSC to the larger UN Community, while providing a platform by which elected Member States are then held accountable to stated priorities during their terms...
UNSC Elections
May 9, 2019

UN Security Council Election Briefing with Estonia

On May 9th, 2019, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) hosted the 2019 Security Council Election Briefing with Estonia. We invited Estonia and Romania, the two candidate Member States from the Eastern European Group for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, to participate in an Election Debate however, Romania declined. The elections for the Security Council will take place on June 7th, 2019.
Peace and Security
UN Security Council Debate for Candidates from Asia-Pacific Group
May 14, 2018

UN Security Council Debate for Candidates from Asia-Pacific Group

UN Security Council Debate for Candidates from Asia-Pacific Group
Peace and Security
Eventful Security Council elections end with the first split seat agreement since 1960
June 29, 2016

Eventful Security Council elections end with the first split seat agreement since 1960

Eventful Security Council elections end with the first split seat agreement since 1960
Peace and Security
WFUNA to Launch Security Council Election Initiative in May
April 21, 2016

WFUNA to Launch Security Council Election Initiative in May

WFUNA to Launch Security Council Election Initiative in May
Peace and Security, Press Release

Donate

Why We Give: Inspiring Donor Stories

Join

Find your UNA, volunteer, employment, internships, learn more...

Subscribe

Stay in the loop with WFUNA!

  • WFUNA

    1 United Nations Plaza
    Room 0240
    New York, NY 10017, USA

    Tel: 212-963-5610
    info@wfuna.org

  • WFUNA

    Room 708, UNESCO Bldg
    26 Myeongdong-gil
    Jung-gu  
    Seoul, Republic of Korea (04536)

    Tel: +82 2 6925 2695
    View Korean site

  • FMANU

    Palais des nations
    Villa Bocage VB 3
    1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

    Tel +41 22 917 3213
    info@wfuna.org

  • FMANU

    Rue Montoyer 14
    Bruxelles - 1000 Belgium

    info@wfuna.org

Global citizens
for a stronger UN

Additional Information

  • Sitemap
  • Constitution & Bylaws
  • Leadership
  • WFUNA Secretariat
  • WFUNA History
  • Employment
  • Internships
  • Newsletter
  • Get Involved
Copyright © WFUNA - World Federation of United Nations Associations | Stislow Design | Development: CEDC