(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) New York December 16 (QNA) - The UN has kicked off the process to elect the next Secretary General.
General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft highlighted a joint letter with the President of the Security Council Samantha Power that was sent out to the 193 UN members Tuesday and which he said officially "starts" the process of soliciting candidates leading to the selection and appointment of the next UN chief.
The letter acknowledges the importance of transparency and inclusivity in the process. It also encourages Member States "to consider presenting women as well as men as candidates for the position of Secretary-General." The next Secretary-General will assume the role in January 2017 and will serve a five year term which can be renewed by Member States for an additional five years. (QNA)