STATEMENT BY KAREN ONG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AT THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE GENERAL ASSSEMBLY THEMATIC DEBATE ON THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND OTHER EXECUTIVE HEADS, 20 FEBRUARY 2025

Co-Chairs,

Thank you for your continued leadership of this important process and convening this timely debate on the third thematic cluster of the Working Group. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN and by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

2 The issue we have before us today is one of great interest to many delegations. As its Chief Administrative Officer, the Secretary General is the United Nations’ principal diplomat, advocate and peacekeeper, invested with the Organization’s moral authority and overseeing the discharge of all its primary responsibilities. Many in this room share the view however, that the selection process for the Secretary- General, which had until recently largely remained the same, is no longer fit for purpose. The process must evolve to have more clarity, transparency and inclusiveness to meet the expectations of the membership today, as outlined in Action 42 Paragraph 70 (c) of the Pact of the Future. While we welcome the steps taken since 2015 to improve the process, more can be done to render greater clarity, precision and transparency about the nomination and selection procedures. Allow me to make a few observations. 

3 First, we should go further to ensure that the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General is indeed guided by the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, as emphasised in operative paragraph 58 of Resolution 77/335. My delegation had put forward a proposal at the 77th Session of the General Assembly in which we had called upon Member States “to outline and describe the process for the selection of the UN Secretary-General”. The proposal was a simple one, aimed at introducing greater transparency in the selection procedure. It is our hope that this proposal will be considered positively, in line with the points expressed in Resolution 77/335, on the need to improve the working methods of our Organization.

4 Second, the General Assembly, through its Member States and its President, should play a more defined and active role in future selection processes of the Secretary General. It is the Assembly that, upon the recommendation of the Security Council, is responsible for appointing the Secretary-General, as outlined in Article 97 of the Charter. In this context, the role played by the President of the General Assembly, who represents the entire membership, in the process is critical. We support establishing as practice the issuance of joint letters by the President of the General Assembly and President of the Security Council to formally launch the nominations process and circulate information on the nominated candidates. We also see the open informal dialogues between the candidates and member states, as mandated by Resolution 69/321, as a key part of the selection process. We therefore call on all candidates to actively take part in these meetings and circulate a vision statement of their policy priorities in advance, in line with Operative Paragraph 63 of Resolution 77/335. We also believe there is scope to improve the interactive format of these meetings, as well as strengthen the ‘link’ between the consideration of the candidates by the General Assembly and by the Security Council.  

5 Third, we are in favour of the establishment of a more structured timeline for the nomination and selection process of the Secretary General. Establishing a deadline for nominations and an overall timeframe for the whole process would facilitate transparency and predictability for all parties, including the candidates and Member States. Ensuring that the process is conducted and concluded in a timely manner before the next Secretary-General is due to assume office would enable the successful candidate sufficient time to prepare for this important role. 

6 Finally, we have to strengthen the representation of women in leadership positions across the UN, including in the selection of a future Secretary General, who is the most visible representative of our Organization. As stated in the Pact, it is regrettable that there has yet to be a woman Secretary-General since the UN’s founding. We support the Joint Statement by Mexico, Slovenia and Spain, and hope that Member States will actively promote and nominate qualified women as candidates for this position.

Co-chairs,

7 As we prepare to embark on negotiations on the biennial resolution this year, there is potential for the General Assembly to play a far more engaged role in working with the Security Council to increase the transparency and inclusiveness of the selection process of the Secretary General. We are committed to striving for a succinct and action-oriented text with clear recommendations, one that builds on the achievements of Resolution 77/335 to reinforce the role of the General Assembly. I assure you of our continued support and we stand ready to work with you and all other Member States to adopt a substantive and forward-looking resolution. 

8 Thank you for your attention. 

.     .     .     .