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DHAKA, July 7, 2026 (BSS)- Speakers at a policy dialogue today called for a 
more transparent, merit-based and inclusive process for selecting the next 
United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG), arguing that the current system is 
overly influenced by the permanent members of the UN Security Council and 
falls short of reflecting the interests of the wider international community.

The virtual discussion, titled "Rethinking UN Leadership in a Fragmented 
World: A Bangladesh-Centred Perspective," was organised by the Centre for 
Policy Dialogue (CPD) in collaboration with Southern Voice and the 1 for 8 
Billion campaign.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the next UN 
chief would assume office at a time of growing geopolitical tensions, armed 
conflicts, climate crises, humanitarian displacement and declining confidence 
in multilateral institutions.

He said the future Secretary-General should possess integrity, independence, 
diplomatic skills and moral authority while remaining committed to the UN 
Charter. 

He stressed that the selection process should be open, merit-based, 
accountable and participatory to enhance both the legitimacy of the office 
and the credibility of the United Nations.

Kobir also proposed reforming the current selection mechanism by allowing the 
Security Council to submit a shortlist of candidates to the General Assembly 
instead of recommending a single nominee, enabling broader scrutiny and a 
more competitive, merit-based selection.

Referring to Bangladesh's experience with the Rohingya crisis, he said the 
next UN leader must be capable of safeguarding the interests of all member 
states, regardless of their size or economic strength.

Chairing the session, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD, said the 
debate extended beyond leadership selection to the broader future of 
multilateralism. 

She emphasised that the UN required greater transparency, accountability, 
institutional independence and responsiveness to vulnerable communities.

Presenting the keynote paper, Afrin Mahbub, Research Associate at CPD, said 
the UNSG selection process remains heavily influenced by the five permanent 
members of the Security Council despite recent improvements in transparency.

She noted that no woman has ever served as UN Secretary-General and argued 
that meaningful gender representation must be accompanied by institutional 
reforms, stronger accountability and genuine decision-making authority.

Ben Donaldson, Adviser to the 1 for 8 Billion campaign, warned that backroom 
negotiations over senior UN appointments undermine transparency and weaken 
confidence in the broader UN leadership system.

The panel discussion featured Dr. Amena Mohsin, Shaheen Anam, Taslima Akter 
Lima, Fauzia Moslem, and Khushi Kabir, who highlighted the importance of 
ensuring that future UN leadership reflects the concerns of developing 
countries alongside those of major powers.

Participants in the open discussion stressed the need to strengthen the role 
of the UN General Assembly and amplify the voices of countries from Asia, 
Africa, Latin America and the wider Global South in the selection process.

Concluding the event, Dr. Fahmida Khatun said the next UN Secretary-General 
must combine diplomatic competence with independence and moral authority to 
address the increasingly complex global challenges of the twenty-first 
century.