WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
NEW YORK – Statement by WFUNA Executive Committee, New York, 10 September 2016
During its 215th meeting, on 9 September 2016, members of WFUNA’s Executive Committee adopted and issued a statement on the Election of the Next United Nations Secretary-General.
As the process to select a new United Nations Secretary-General draws towards its conclusion, The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) remains deeply committed to ensuring that the UN Security Council selects a well-qualified and able candidate with the moral authority to provide real global leadership. WFUNA recognizes the significant improvements in the transparency of the process of selection and remains steadfast in its commitment to promote a more open process to select the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
WFUNA expresses its deep appreciation for the many efforts of the UN Secretariat through the office of the 70th President of the General Assembly, H.E Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, as well as the strong commitment by civil society – notably through the 1 for 7 Billion campaign – to deliver a more transparent and accountable process that the United Nations and general public deserve.
Recalling a resolution adopted during WFUNAs 41st Plenary Assembly in November 2015, WFUNA reasserts the call for a woman to be appointed as the next Secretary General – after seven decades of men in this post. WFUNA echoes current UN Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who has recently issued a clear appeal to the Security Council to select a female candidate.
As a global civil-society organization committed to a strong, effective United Nations, WFUNA and its member UNAs believes in the importance of the role of the UN Secretary-General, and the impact on the fulfilment of the UN’s purposes and principles.