New York, April 16, 2018.In her speech at the thematic meeting on the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads, held within the framework of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly, Yillianne Sánchez Rodríguez, Diplomatic Attaché of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations, highlighted the importance of coordinated, inclusive and transparent work between the Security Council and the General Assembly, taking into account that, as established in the UN Charter, The Secretary- General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
The Cuban diplomat acknowledged the importance of the dialogues and informal meetings with the candidates for the position of Secretary-General that took place in 2016, which contributed to the transparency and inclusiveness of the selection process for such a high position; and advocated that this good practice be maintained in the future.
She also called for equitable and fair geographical distribution and representation, as well as gender balance, in the appointment of executive heads.
Sánchez Rodríguez, took the opportunity to congratulate the Secretary-General for the merit of reaching, for the first time in the history of the Organization, gender parity within the Secretariat's senior management positions. She also reiterated Cuba's willingness to continue supporting the revitalization process of the General Assembly, which will consolidate the democratic and participatory nature of this main body.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations