I’ll admit that I cannot wait for the end of Kofi Annan’s posting at Turtle Bay, but there is no guarantee that his successor will be any better. Indeed, given the United Nation’s long-running record of corruption, inaction punctuated by meaningless action, and willingness to be highjacked by the whims of despotic regimes, I find actually little hope for improvement. Still, there is that little hope, so here’s a look at the current leading contenders for Kofi’s replacement.
Kofi Annan is in the middle of his last UN General Assembly session as Secretary General. He must stand down by the end of the year, and the race to succeed him is gathering pace.
Six people are in the running, but it is possible that Mr Annan’s successor will not be among them. There is still time for others to throw their hats into the ring.
Traditionally, the UN Security Council recommends a candidate and the 192-member General Assembly approves the choice.
The piece goes on to give a little background on each of the following:
- Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Afghanistan
- Ban Ki-moon, South Korea
- Prince Zeid Al-Hussein, Jordan
- Surakiart Sathirathai, Thailand
- Shashi Tharoor, India
- President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Latvia