US faults UN Secretary-General selection process

The United States has criticized the United Nations Secretariat-General selection process, arguing that the Security Council's involvement undermines the Council's own power. While the Council plays a crucial role in recommending the next UN chief, Washington asserts that recent actions by the General Assembly (GA) do not align with the Council's working methods.

At a recent Council briefing, Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, representing Special Political Affairs, accused the President of the GA, Annalena Baerbock, of "irresponsible actions" that could "undermine" the selection process. Locetta claimed that the GA sent two letters to the Council, hinting at improper behavior and calling for "transparency," "fairness," and "inclusion."

She argued that the Council has consistently respected the selection process outlined in Resolution 79/327 on the revitalization of the General Assembly, while the GA has not. Locetta cited a town hall meeting with candidates and an audience survey conducted by the GA as "unfair, untransparent, and unprecedented," stating that many participants had no official role in the selection process.

She accused Baerbock of continuing a trend of UN leadership acting as "diplomatic superstars" rather than "Chief Administrative Officers." The envoy also pointed to the GA's second letter, which demanded the Security Council not consider candidates who did not participate in a General Assembly dialogue. Locetta emphasized that the joint letter on nominations is "unambiguous," suggesting the Council may choose candidates who never engage in GA dialogues.

On Friday, Denmark's UN ambassador, Christina Markus Lassen, announced that the Council held its second straw poll on the candidates seeking to succeed Antonio Guterres, whose term ends on December 31. The straw polls are informal closed-door votes to gauge support for the candidates and to select one to recommend to the General Assembly.

The eight candidates include Carolyn Birkett (Guyana), Ivonne Baki (Ecuador), Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Maria Espinosa (Ecuador), Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), Olara Otunnu (Uganda), and Macky Sall (Senegal).