Committees

Next United Nations Secretary-General's role examined in evidence session

7 September 2016

The International Relations Committee takes evidence from former UN officials and Senior Representatives on the role of the UN Secretary-General, UN reform, international development and multilateral diplomacy

Witnesses


Wednesday 7 September in Committee Room 3A, Palace of Westminster

At 10:30am

  • Lord Malloch Brown, former Minister of State; Deputy UN General Secretary; Chief of staff to the UN Secretary-General; CEO of the UN Development Programme; and Vice-President of the World Bank
  • Sir Emyr Jones Parry, former UK Ambassador to the UN and NATO

At 11:30am

  • Baroness Amos, former Secretary of State for International Development and UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Possible Questions

  • What are the UK's key strengths at the UN? Where can the UK show visible leadership?
  • The UN undertakes a broad range of development activities, where does the UN best hold its comparative advantage?
  • What steps can the UN take to engage more effectively with civil society?
  • What is the reputation of the UK for promoting human rights at the UN? Is this likely to change as a result of Brexit?
  • How should the new Secretary-General prepare UN peacekeeping for threats such as irregular warfare and proliferation of non-state actors?
  • Given the continuing discussions of reform in the UN system, and given their barriers, what key reform areas should the UN Secretary-General prioritise?
  • Given political and institutional constraints, what areas should the incumbent Secretary-General play a role in?

Further information

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