Every September the General Assembly welcomes heads of state and ministers from 193 countries. Each has one vote, and none has a veto. It adopts several hundred resolutions every year. Too often, the text that is voted and the situation on the ground stay separated by a long silence. President Macky Sall places the revitalization of the Assembly among the commitments of his candidacy for the office of Secretary-General.
A crowded agenda. Since the early 1990s the revitalization of the Assembly's work has been a standing item on its agenda. Reforms move in small steps, and each session adds texts before the earlier ones have been applied.
Resolutions that lead somewhere. A resolution with no follow-up costs in credibility what it cost in negotiation. A public table showing, text by text, what has been applied and what has not would give states a tool for gentle pressure.
The veto initiative. Since April 2022 and resolution 76/262, the Assembly meets within ten working days of a veto in the Security Council. It has thereby gained a debating role the Charter did not write. The Secretary-General can help make that meeting a habit.
Accountable to all. Appointed by the Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council (Article 97 of the Charter), the Secretary-General answers to all 193 states. Under Article 98 he addresses an annual report to them.
A responsibility made visible. The vision statement filed with the United Nations makes this responsibility a commitment to transparency. Twelve years as head of state taught President Macky Sall that one governs better when accounting to everyone.
Africa at its heart, the world in its sights.
Articles 97 and 98 of the Charter, General Assembly resolution 76/262 (2022) and resolution 46/77 (1991) are public. Read all public positions at www.mackysall.net