New Zealand's former prime minister Helen Clark on Monday announced her candidacy to be the next UN secretary-general, aiming to become the first woman to lead the world body.
New Zealand's Helen Clark, a former prime minister and the United
Nations' highest-ranking woman, announced her candidacy to be the next
UN secretary-general. (AFP/Toshifumi Kitamura)
UNITED NATIONS: New Zealand's former prime minister Helen
Clark on Monday (Apr 4) announced her candidacy to be the next UN
secretary-general, aiming to become the first woman to lead the world
body.
"I am putting myself forward based on proven leadership experience
over close to three decades, both in my own country and here at the
United Nations," Clark told AFP in an interview, ending months of
speculation. "I do think I have the experience and the attributes to do
this job."The search for a successor to Ban Ki-moon comes at a time of high anxiety in global affairs as the United Nations grapples with the biggest refugee crisis since World War II and raging conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
Other than Clark, seven candidates including three women are
vying for the top job. The candidates include UNESCO chief Irina Bokova
of Bulgaria and the former High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio
Guterres, of Portugal.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key formally put forward
Clark as the country's candidate at a press conference in Wellington on
Monday.
"Having served as the prime minister of New Zealand for nine
years and held one of the top jobs in the United Nations for the past
seven, Helen Clark has the right mix of skills and experience for the
job," Key said.
"There are major global challenges facing the world today
and the United Nations needs a proven leader who can be pragmatic and
effective. Coming from New Zealand, Helen Clark is well placed to bridge
divisions and get results. She is the best person for the job."
- AFP/de
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