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Statement of H.E Luis Guillermo Solís-Rivera, President of Costa Rica, at the High Level Special Event on the Selection of the next Secretary General: Opening Up the Process.

Saturday, 26 September 2015
Presenter: 
President Luis Guillermo Solís
Location: 
New York

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentleman,

It is my great pleasure to be here today at this significant juncture, for we have all come

together to discuss a burdening issue, that not only affects the delegates of the United

Nations but also the seven billion people of the world.

That is the upcoming selection and appointment of the Secretary-General.

The Secretary General is the most important international figure of the world. The

international community looks up to the person holding this Office for guidance, leadership

and solutions to the world’s deepest and gravest crises -from climate change to terrorism,

from nuclear disarmament to human rights issues, from women empowerment to conflict

resolution and mediation.

However, since the inception of the United Nations, the process to select this crucial figure

has been dominated by procedures contrary to those which this Organization upholds.

Mainly transparency, equality, democracy and independence.

In matters pertaining the supreme leadership pf the United Nations, we cannot remain still,

and we cannot continue to waiver.

We must refuse to accept the status quo.

The time has come for change. We hear the calls from Member States, civil society, and the

unfortunate individuals most affected by the scourge of war. If we all want change, we must

instill change.

2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations as well as the year to

congregate the selection process for the new Secretary General. We need to get the ball

rolling in order to bring about the much-needed reform in the process for next year. I have

faith that if we all work towards this goal, we can instill changes to select the best possible

candidate.

I heartily welcome the reforms adopted in the area of Selection and Appointment of the

Secretary General by the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General

Assembly. But, they are not enough. Resolution affirming the readiness to continue

discussing all the issues relating to the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General

in all their aspects has been accepted. We have been in the discussion mode since 1945;

especially when it comes to the term, selection and appointment of the Secretary General

and I wonder how many years will it take to bring about concrete transformations. The

transformation the United Nations urgently requires.

For many years, Costa Rica has been forging a path towards change, especially within the

working methods of the Security Council. We have done so guided by four basic principles:

democracy, transparency, equality and independence.

I have come here today to discuss these four basic principles and why they stand to be vital

to the process of the election of the Secretary General.

Costa Rica believes that democracy is synonymous with inclusivity. All Member States

represented in the General Assembly and not just the 15 members of the Security Council

should be involved in this selection process. We need the General Assembly to take a more

active and robust role. We continue to stand firm on our demand that the Security Council

submit a list of two or more candidates to the General Assembly, in order for us to vote and

to have a Secretary General chosen in a truly democratic manner.

Not only do we deserve a voice in the process but we also deserve sight into the process,

which takes me to the principle of transparency. An open, transparent, merit based election

process with a sense of predictability, conducted in a timely and structured manner is the

need of the hour.

In this regard, I welcome the adoption of the Ad-Hoc Working Group’s proposal to request

the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to jointly circulate to all

Member States, on an ongoing basis the names of individuals that have been submitted for

consideration as candidates for the position of the Secretary-General with accompanying

documents, including curricula vitae. I also highly appreciate the Committee’s proposal that

the General Assembly conduct hearings or meetings with candidates running for the post of

Secretary-General.

This brings me to my next principle –equality, which should be fulfilled this time around. The

time has come to select a female Secretary General. As we all know, the past eight Secretary

Generals have all been men, and even though this is merely a fact, should qualifications

among candidates be equal, we should choose a woman. This is not to discriminate, but

rather to uphold the principle of equality and empower the women of today and tomorrow.

We take pride in the fact that Costa Rica presented and defended within the Ad-Hoc

Working Committee the invitation to Member States to consider presenting women as

candidates for the position of the Secretary-General. And that our proposal is now reflected

on the text.

The fourth and the last principle that should guide our efforts should be the principle of

independence. In order for the United Nations to do its job more effectively, we need our

Secretary General to discharge her duties with moral authority, integrity and courage. We

need a Secretary General who is strong, unbiased, and uncompromised. In this sense, he

or she shouldn’t be concerned with campaigning, re-election favoritisms and undue

promises, but instead should be focused on the present global concerns, which cry for our

utmost attention.

In order to engender greater focus and independence within the post, we suggest that the

term of office be changed to a single, non-renewable term of seven years. The precedents

for the idea have existed since the inception of the United Nations in 1945. We must

remember that whomever we select, should be a highly qualified, a visionary leader as he or

she will be held accountable to do their job well by all. It should be a matter of highest

priority for us that the term of the Secretary General be revised before the election in 2016.

Else, we will find ourselves stuck in a limbo involving discussions and deliberations as we

have been for the past 70 years.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let us all, therefore, come together in good faith and with enthusiasm to take action for the

betterment of all so as to instill the four principles of democracy, transparency, equality, and

independence into the process of the selection and appointment of the next Secretary

General.

The times is right. The time is now.

I thank you very much.

1

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentleman,

It is my great pleasure to be here today at this significant juncture, for we have all come

together to discuss a burdening issue, that not only affects the delegates of the United

Nations but also the seven billion people of the world.

That is the upcoming selection and appointment of the Secretary-General.

The Secretary General is the most important international figure of the world. The

international community looks up to the person holding this Office for guidance, leadership

and solutions to the world’s deepest and gravest crises -from climate change to terrorism,

from nuclear disarmament to human rights issues, from women empowerment to conflict

resolution and mediation.

However, since the inception of the United Nations, the process to select this crucial figure

has been dominated by procedures contrary to those which this Organization upholds.

Mainly transparency, equality, democracy and independence.

In matters pertaining the supreme leadership pf the United Nations, we cannot remain still,

and we cannot continue to waiver.

We must refuse to accept the status quo.

The time has come for change. We hear the calls from Member States, civil society, and the

unfortunate individuals most affected by the scourge of war. If we all want change, we must

instill change.

2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations as well as the year to

congregate the selection process for the new Secretary General. We need to get the ball

rolling in order to bring about the much-needed reform in the process for next year. I have

faith that if we all work towards this goal, we can instill changes to select the best possible

candidate.

I heartily welcome the reforms adopted in the area of Selection and Appointment of the

Secretary General by the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General

Assembly. But, they are not enough. Resolution affirming the readiness to continue

discussing all the issues relating to the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General

in all their aspects has been accepted. We have been in the discussion mode since 1945;

especially when it comes to the term, selection and appointment of the Secretary General

and I wonder how many years will it take to bring about concrete transformations. The

transformation the United Nations urgently requires.

For many years, Costa Rica has been forging a path towards change, especially within the

working methods of the Security Council. We have done so guided by four basic principles:

democracy, transparency, equality and independence.

I have come here today to discuss these four basic principles and why they stand to be vital

to the process of the election of the Secretary General.

Costa Rica believes that democracy is synonymous with inclusivity. All Member States

represented in the General Assembly and not just the 15 members of the Security Council

should be involved in this selection process. We need the General Assembly to take a more

active and robust role. We continue to stand firm on our demand that the Security Council

submit a list of two or more candidates to the General Assembly, in order for us to vote and

to have a Secretary General chosen in a truly democratic manner.

Not only do we deserve a voice in the process but we also deserve sight into the process,

which takes me to the principle of transparency. An open, transparent, merit based election

process with a sense of predictability, conducted in a timely and structured manner is the

need of the hour.

In this regard, I welcome the adoption of the Ad-Hoc Working Group’s proposal to request

the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to jointly circulate to all

Member States, on an ongoing basis the names of individuals that have been submitted for

consideration as candidates for the position of the Secretary-General with accompanying

documents, including curricula vitae. I also highly appreciate the Committee’s proposal that

the General Assembly conduct hearings or meetings with candidates running for the post of

Secretary-General.

This brings me to my next principle –equality, which should be fulfilled this time around. The

time has come to select a female Secretary General. As we all know, the past eight Secretary

Generals have all been men, and even though this is merely a fact, should qualifications

among candidates be equal, we should choose a woman. This is not to discriminate, but

rather to uphold the principle of equality and empower the women of today and tomorrow.

We take pride in the fact that Costa Rica presented and defended within the Ad-Hoc

Working Committee the invitation to Member States to consider presenting women as

candidates for the position of the Secretary-General. And that our proposal is now reflected

on the text.

The fourth and the last principle that should guide our efforts should be the principle of

independence. In order for the United Nations to do its job more effectively, we need our

Secretary General to discharge her duties with moral authority, integrity and courage. We

need a Secretary General who is strong, unbiased, and uncompromised. In this sense, he

or she shouldn’t be concerned with campaigning, re-election favoritisms and undue

promises, but instead should be focused on the present global concerns, which cry for our

utmost attention.

In order to engender greater focus and independence within the post, we suggest that the

term of office be changed to a single, non-renewable term of seven years. The precedents

for the idea have existed since the inception of the United Nations in 1945. We must

remember that whomever we select, should be a highly qualified, a visionary leader as he or

she will be held accountable to do their job well by all. It should be a matter of highest

priority for us that the term of the Secretary General be revised before the election in 2016.

Else, we will find ourselves stuck in a limbo involving discussions and deliberations as we

have been for the past 70 years.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let us all, therefore, come together in good faith and with enthusiasm to take action for the

betterment of all so as to instill the four principles of democracy, transparency, equality, and

independence into the process of the selection and appointment of the next Secretary

General.

The times is right. The time is now.

I thank you very much.

2

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentleman,

It is my great pleasure to be here today at this significant juncture, for we have all come

together to discuss a burdening issue, that not only affects the delegates of the United

Nations but also the seven billion people of the world.

That is the upcoming selection and appointment of the Secretary-General.

The Secretary General is the most important international figure of the world. The

international community looks up to the person holding this Office for guidance, leadership

and solutions to the world’s deepest and gravest crises -from climate change to terrorism,

from nuclear disarmament to human rights issues, from women empowerment to conflict

resolution and mediation.

However, since the inception of the United Nations, the process to select this crucial figure

has been dominated by procedures contrary to those which this Organization upholds.

Mainly transparency, equality, democracy and independence.

In matters pertaining the supreme leadership pf the United Nations, we cannot remain still,

and we cannot continue to waiver.

We must refuse to accept the status quo.

The time has come for change. We hear the calls from Member States, civil society, and the

unfortunate individuals most affected by the scourge of war. If we all want change, we must

instill change.

2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations as well as the year to

congregate the selection process for the new Secretary General. We need to get the ball

rolling in order to bring about the much-needed reform in the process for next year. I have

faith that if we all work towards this goal, we can instill changes to select the best possible

candidate.

I heartily welcome the reforms adopted in the area of Selection and Appointment of the

Secretary General by the Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General

Assembly. But, they are not enough. Resolution affirming the readiness to continue

discussing all the issues relating to the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General

in all their aspects has been accepted. We have been in the discussion mode since 1945;

especially when it comes to the term, selection and appointment of the Secretary General

and I wonder how many years will it take to bring about concrete transformations. The

transformation the United Nations urgently requires.

For many years, Costa Rica has been forging a path towards change, especially within the

working methods of the Security Council. We have done so guided by four basic principles:

democracy, transparency, equality and independence.

I have come here today to discuss these four basic principles and why they stand to be vital

to the process of the election of the Secretary General.

Costa Rica believes that democracy is synonymous with inclusivity. All Member States

represented in the General Assembly and not just the 15 members of the Security Council

should be involved in this selection process. We need the General Assembly to take a more

active and robust role. We continue to stand firm on our demand that the Security Council

submit a list of two or more candidates to the General Assembly, in order for us to vote and

to have a Secretary General chosen in a truly democratic manner.

Not only do we deserve a voice in the process but we also deserve sight into the process,

which takes me to the principle of transparency. An open, transparent, merit based election

process with a sense of predictability, conducted in a timely and structured manner is the

need of the hour.

In this regard, I welcome the adoption of the Ad-Hoc Working Group’s proposal to request

the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council to jointly circulate to all

Member States, on an ongoing basis the names of individuals that have been submitted for

consideration as candidates for the position of the Secretary-General with accompanying

documents, including curricula vitae. I also highly appreciate the Committee’s proposal that

the General Assembly conduct hearings or meetings with candidates running for the post of

Secretary-General.

This brings me to my next principle –equality, which should be fulfilled this time around. The

time has come to select a female Secretary General. As we all know, the past eight Secretary

Generals have all been men, and even though this is merely a fact, should qualifications

among candidates be equal, we should choose a woman. This is not to discriminate, but

rather to uphold the principle of equality and empower the women of today and tomorrow.

We take pride in the fact that Costa Rica presented and defended within the Ad-Hoc

Working Committee the invitation to Member States to consider presenting women as

candidates for the position of the Secretary-General. And that our proposal is now reflected

on the text.

The fourth and the last principle that should guide our efforts should be the principle of

independence. In order for the United Nations to do its job more effectively, we need our

Secretary General to discharge her duties with moral authority, integrity and courage. We

need a Secretary General who is strong, unbiased, and uncompromised. In this sense, he

or she shouldn’t be concerned with campaigning, re-election favoritisms and undue

promises, but instead should be focused on the present global concerns, which cry for our

utmost attention.

In order to engender greater focus and independence within the post, we suggest that the

term of office be changed to a single, non-renewable term of seven years. The precedents

for the idea have existed since the inception of the United Nations in 1945. We must

remember that whomever we select, should be a highly qualified, a visionary leader as he or

she will be held accountable to do their job well by all. It should be a matter of highest

priority for us that the term of the Secretary General be revised before the election in 2016.

Else, we will find ourselves stuck in a limbo involving discussions and deliberations as we

have been for the past 70 years.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let us all, therefore, come together in good faith and with enthusiasm to take action for the

betterment of all so as to instill the four principles of democracy, transparency, equality, and

independence into the process of the selection and appointment of the next Secretary

General.

The times is right. The time is now.

I thank you very much.