By Jelili Gbadamosi
The United States has criticised the involvement of polling and public surveys in the ongoing process to select the next United Nations Secretary-General, arguing that such practices could undermine the authority of the UN Security Council.
Washington raised the concern during a Security Council briefing, where US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta accused the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, of taking actions that could interfere with the established selection process.
Locetta, the US Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, said the General Assembly President had sent two letters to the Security Council questioning its procedures under the guise of promoting transparency, fairness and inclusion.
According to her, the Security Council has consistently followed the selection process outlined in Resolution 79/327 on the revitalisation of the General Assembly, while accusing the PGA of failing to do the same.
The diplomat particularly criticised a July 23 town hall meeting organised by Baerbock for candidates seeking to become the next UN chief, during which an audience survey was conducted.
Locetta described the survey as “unfair, untransparent, and unprecedented”, arguing that many of those who participated had no official role in choosing the Secretary-General.
She further maintained that Resolution 79/327 does not provide for the use of polls or surveys in the selection process.
The US envoy also objected to a second letter from the General Assembly President urging the Security Council to consider only candidates who participated in a General Assembly dialogue.
Locetta said the existing agreement on nominations does not prevent the Security Council from considering candidates who did not participate in such a dialogue.
Her comments came as the Security Council conducted its second informal straw poll on Friday to assess support for candidates seeking to succeed Antonio Guterres, whose tenure ends on December 31.
The straw poll is conducted behind closed doors and is intended to help the 15-member Security Council gauge support for the candidates before recommending one to the General Assembly for appointment.
Eight candidates are currently in contention. They include Carolyn Birkett of Guyana, Ecuador’s former Industries Minister Ivonne Baki, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, and Ecuador’s former Foreign Minister Maria Espinosa.
Others are Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Costa Rica’s former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan; former UN Under-Secretary-General Olara Otunnu of Uganda; and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.
