STATEMENT BY DPR MARK SEAH AT AD-HOC WORKING GROUP ON GA REVITALISATION THEMATIC DEBATE ON “SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND OTHER EXECUTIVE HEADS”, 1000 HRS ON 9 FEBRUARY 2023

Thank you, Co-Chairs

1 Congratulations on your re-appointment.  This bodes well for continuity, and is well-deserved recognition of your efforts at the 76^th Session.  I also thank you for organising last week’s workshop on GA Revitalisation to familiarise those new to this important process.

2 The theme of today’s debate is an opportunity to reaffirm and emphasise the role of the General Assembly in choosing the leaders of the United Nations.  I align my delegation with the statement delivered by Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and add a few points in my national capacity.

Co-Chairs

3 First and foremost, the UN Charter gives the General Assembly a clear role in the appointment of the Secretary-General.  Art 97 of The UN Charter states that “The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council” (emphasis added).  UNGA Resolution 51/241 (adopted in July 1997) decided that “the General Assembly shall make full use of the power of appointment enshrined in the Charter in the process of the appointment of the Secretary-General”.  It is important to ensure that this role of the General Assembly is not weakened in any way.

4 Second, we must preserve the General Assembly’s role as a universal and inclusive platform for all countries, including small states, to have the opportunity to interact meaningfully with candidates for the post of Secretary-General.  On this point, my delegation welcomes the fact that we were able to agree on a more transparent and open process for the nomination of the UN Secretary-General in 2015.  An unprecedented field of 13 highly qualified candidates was presented, and for the first time, candidates were interviewed publicly by the full membership. We were glad to see that although there was only one official candidate in 2021, the UNSG still held informal dialogues with Member States. These were significant gains for accountability, transparency, and meritocracy. We must build on them, and not regress.

5 Third, we should give sufficient time for the nomination and presentation of candidates.  Pursuant to UNGA Resolution 69/321 adopted in September 2015, the Presidents of the Council and the Assembly cooperated closely to issue a joint letter on 15 December 2015 describing the process and inviting the timely presentation of candidates.  This gave Member States almost a year to nominate and examine candidates, and was a significant improvement over the opacity of the past.  As conveyed in the NAM statement, my delegation also encourages earlier decisions on the appointment of Secretary-Generals, to give at least a month for transitions between outgoing and incoming holders of this office.  We should formalise these improvements, such as through providing provisional timelines for the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General, pursuant to UNGA Resolutions 75/325 (OP 59), and 72/313 (OP 72). 

6 Lastly, my delegation encourages more transparency in the Council’s deliberations on the selection of the Secretary-General.  We also hope, in the spirit of the resolutions I just mentioned, that due regard be given to gender balance and geographical representation while identifying the best candidate for Secretary-General.

Co-Chairs

7 My delegation also believes that improvements in the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General should be extended to other senior appointments in the United Nations.  The appointment of executive heads should be based on merit, and consider gender and geographical balance.  Nor should senior posts be dominated by any country or group of countries.

8 I conclude by reiterating my delegation’s willingness to work with you and all Member States to “enhance the role, authority and efficiency of the General Assembly” in line with the Ad-Hoc Working Group’s mandate.

9 Thank you.

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