Despite the UN Charter’s commitment to equality among nations, the process grants decisive power to just five States - the permanent members of the Security Council - while excluding the remaining 188 Member States, civil society, and the world’s citizens from meaningful participation. Please find the communication below.
“When five governments alone can determine who leads the United Nations, we must question whether our global governance system truly serves all humanity,” said Colombe Cahen-Salvador, co-founder of Atlas Movement. “This is not a procedural flaw — it is a democratic failure that undermines the UN’s legitimacy.”
Although reforms since General Assembly resolution 69/321 (2015) introduced greater visibility through open dialogues and published nominations, these measures have not changed who holds power. The final decision remains negotiated privately among the P5, whose veto can block any candidate, leaving the General Assembly to ratify a single name by acclamation.
The submission argues that this structure violates key principles recognized by the UN itself:
- The right of all peoples to participate meaningfully in international decision-making;
- The right to equitable participation of all, without discrimination; and
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The requirement for transparent, democratic, and accountable international institutions.
This concentration of authority not only excludes most Member States but also denies individuals and civil society any real avenue to influence or engage.
“The Secretary-General represents the world’s peoples — yet those same people have no voice in choosing who represents them,” said Cahen-Salvador. “This must change if the UN is to embody the democracy it advocates.”
By filing the communication, we hope that the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order will take action, leading to a reformed selection process that is equitable, democratic and transparent.
About Atlas
Atlas is the global political movement uniting humanity for survival. Founded in 2020, it has over 26,000 supporters in 134 countries and has run several global campaigns to tackle the existential threats the world is facing. Atlas will run for office worldwide to push its survival agenda.
For more on Atlas, visit https://www.atlasmovement.org/
For interviews and further information, please contact:
Denise Estrella, [email protected] & [email protected]