The New Secretary-General, and the Next: Reforming International Appointments

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The UN selected as its new Secretary-General this week. Economics Professor offers his thoughts on the deficiencies in the selection process, reform possibilities, and the future trajectory of a UN led by Guterres. Drawing on his experience as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council鈥檚 Independent Team of Advisers, Reddy argues that the UN system needs much more than the 鈥榝ine tuning鈥 that Guterres has in mind.

Sanjay G Reddy's avatar

The announcement that the new Secretary-General of the United Nations will be of Portugal brings to an end a process of making this important appointment which has been more transparent than ever (as it included such innovations as between declared candidates). However, despite the credentials of the new Secretary-General and his laudable intentions for the organisation, the process has highlighted the continued deficiencies in the selection process, including but not confined to lack of full transparency, in particular on the basis of the final decision.

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