UNITED NATIONS, April 16 (APP): Three days of interviews with nine
candidates for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General have concluded during which they answered all together some 800 questions from the UN membership and the public on how, if selected, they would lead the world body.
“We have established a new standard of transparency and inclusivity for
the appointment process, but it has the potential also to influence the final outcome of the selection of the Secretary-General,” UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft told reporters at the conclusion of the unprecedented public dialogues.
Starting on Tuesday, each candidate was given a two-hour televised and webcast timeslot. Prior to opening up the floor for questions from UN delegates and civil society representatives as well as from the public through social media, candidates gave short oral presentations their `vision statements’ addressing challenges and opportunities facing the UN and the next Secretary-General.
