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
  • Sustainable Development

WFUNA Continues Trend of Transparency with Interactive Dialogues for Next PGA

Interactive Dialogues with Candidates for President of the General Assembly, 71st Session

NEW YORK, NY –The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) hosted interactive dialogues with the candidates for President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly on June 10, 2016 at the UN Headquarters in New York. H.E. Mr. Andreas Mavroyiannis, the candidate nominated by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, and then H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, the candidate nominated by the Government of Fiji, presented their opening statements and answered live questions from member states and civil society.

The General Assembly is the central deliberative and policymaking organ of the UN. Unlike the Security Council, all 193 member nations have equal voting rights in the GA. The hearings with the two PGA candidates were part of continuing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the way the United Nations operates. Moderated by Mr. Bonian Golmohammadi, Secretary-General of WFUNA, the hearings provided both Member States and civil society the opportunity to interact with the two candidates before the PGA election on Monday, June 13, when the representative from Fiji was elected.

“The outgoing President of the GA has dramatically increased transparency at the UN, for instance by opening up the process for selecting the next UN Secretary-General” explained Mr. Golmohammadi. “But there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark, the current President of the General Assembly, has hosted hearings with the candidates for Secretary-General of the UN in a potentially game-changing move towards transparency. However, the one-year office of the PGA has also been riddled with challenges in the last few years. As the seat was contested, there was an opportunity—especially for civil society organizations—to highlight the importance of openness and transparency, to hear what to expect from the next President, and to hold them accountable to those commitments during their term.

As a civil society organization, WFUNA was particularly interested in hearing the candidates’ responses to questions from missions and other civil society stakeholders.

If you missed the hearings, you can watch them here:

  • Interactive Dialogue with H.E. Mr. Andreas Mavroyiannis, Nominated by the Government of Cyprus
  • Interactive Dialogue with H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, Nominated by the Government of Fiji
  • Prev
  • Next

Related News and Events

Civil Society Dialogues at the UN
May 2, 2019

Dialogues at the UN

2016 was a landmark year for increasing transparency at the UN, including through public hearings and debates for critical positions such as the Secretary-General, President of the General Assembly, and seats on the Security Council. WFUNA aims to continue this momentum through 2017 and beyond.
Ambassador Barbara Woodward
April 21, 2022

Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Woodward of the United Kingdom

On April 20, 2022, WFUNA organized the 41st event in a series of dialogues between the President of the UN Security Council and representatives of civil society organizations. The event featured Ambassador Woodward, Permanent Representative of the UK
Peace and Security
"What Makes a Successful Civil Society Project?" with UNDEF
March 27, 2018

"What Makes a Successful Civil Society Project?" with UNDEF

27 March 2017 - What Makes a Successful Civil Society Project? Learning Lessons from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), 1:15pm to 2:30pm.
Sustainable Development
Civil Society Dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly
January 25, 2017

Civil Society Dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly

After hosting Interactive Dialogues with the candidates for next President of the General Assembly (PGA) in June, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) continued to promote transparency and civil society participation at the UN with an event where civil society representatives met and spoke with the UN PGA. 
Sustainable Development
Civil Society Dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly
January 25, 2017

Civil Society Dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly

Civil Society Dialogue with the President of the UN General Assembly
Peace and Security

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