Annelena Baerbock, president of the United Nations General Assembly, used a weekly briefing to summarize steps designed to make the selection of the next UN secretary-general more transparent and inclusive. She said the president of the Security Council and she issued a joint letter inviting member states to nominate candidates and that the timely issuance of that letter allows for an early start to deliberations.

Baerbock described improvements to the process, citing the General Assembly revitalization resolution and recent changes in campaign disclosure expectations. She said candidates will be asked to provide a vision statement, a curriculum vitae and campaign financial disclosures; those materials will be published on a website. She also said the General Assembly will conduct interactive dialogues and webcast hearings so member states, civil society, media and global citizens can engage.

Asked whether there are concrete measures to ensure more women candidates and regional diversity, Baerbock said those calls are reflected in the revitalization resolution and that member states themselves determine nominations. She reiterated the role of the General Assembly in appointing the secretary-general under UN Charter Article 97 and emphasized that the process should be guided by transparency and inclusivity.

Baerbock thanked named Security Council presidencies for their collaboration (names appear in the transcript) and said she will convene interactive dialogues, engage member states and encourage early nominations. She said the goal is to allow adequate time for deliberation and for candidates to prepare for hearings.