The race for the next Secretary-General is on.

This web site is intended to provide the latest information on the men and women whose names are floated or under serious consideration to be the next S-G. There is speculation that Kofi Annan will step down before the end of his term in December. I believe this is highly unlikely. Annan has weathered the Oil-For-Food scandal and he looks to spend the rest of this year focusing on his legacy and dealing with several critical problems—UN reform and Iran being at the top of many important issues.

The Process

The selection process is secretive and takes place behind the closed doors of the UN’s Security Council (UNSC) where a candidate must have at least nine UNSC votes with all Perm Five members either supporting or not voting. A “no” vote by any of the Perm Five would block a nomination from moving forward. Following approval, the name is then forwarded on to the General Assembly for a final—usually rubber stamp—vote. A good overview of the selection process can be found at http://www.unsg.org/role.html. This year the UNSC includes the permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States and rotating members Argentina, Congo, Denmark, Ghana, Greece, Japan, Peru, Qatar, Slovakia and Tanzania.

So. what is the latest line? An interesting mix of geopolitics is coming into play as Asia looks at what it believes is “its” turn to place a person from their region into the S-G slot. A long-standing “understanding” within the world body is that the S-G would rotate between regions. After Africa would come Asia. However, the US and some European countries call that understanding into question. Earlier this year, US ambassador to the UN John Bolton stated that an Eastern European candidate be considered and the US priority would be on finding a person with strong management skills to carry out reforms. Any East European would have difficulty clearing the Russia hurdle. Trying to decide on a consensus candidate within the UNSC who can be supported by the Perm Five is an incredibly complex process involving politics at its highest level. Much will take place between now and when the S-G is selected (possibly October or November).

Stay tuned and check back often. Tips are welcome. Please contact me at writer@newsecretarygeneral.org.

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