UN cracks open secrecy on selecting next secretary-general; female candidates also encouraged
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The United Nations Security Council and General Assembly have taken the first step toward removing the secrecy around selecting the next U.N. secretary-general, sending a joint letter inviting member states to submit candidates for the post.
The world body is responding to many countries' demands that the successor to Ban Ki-moon, whose term is up at the end of 2016, is chosen with some measure of transparency.
Until now, the selection of the U.N. secretary-general has essentially been determined by the five permanent Security Council members behind closed doors. Now countries will have the chance to openly interview candidates.
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The joint letter sent out Tuesday also breaks ground by encouraging U.N. member states to consider nominating women, as every secretary-general over the United Nations' 70 years has been a man.