Assembly/AU/Decl.3(XXVII)Rev.1 Page 1 DECLARATION ON THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE POST OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, meeting at the 27 th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Kigali, Rwanda from 17 to 18 July 2016; Considering the on-going process of selection for the Post of Secretary-General of the United Nations against the background of current global mega trends, global economic and political inter-dependence as well the need for strong international cooperation and partnerships; Considering Also Africa’s role and place in the strengthening of world governance, particularly in team of UN Secretary General; Taking into Account Africa’s aspirations and legitimate demands as espoused in the Enzulweni Consensus and in Africa’s 2063 Agenda as well as its Ten Year Implementation Plan; Further Noting the pivotal role of African Members of the UN Security Council (A3) in the selection process at the level of the UN Security Council: 1. WELCOME the efforts of the General Assembly to ensure a transparent, open and inclusive process for selecting the best candidate for the post of UN SecretaryGeneral in conformity with General Assembly Resolution 69/321; 2. ALSO WELCOME the active engagement of the African Group in New York in the selection process of the Secretary General with a view to making Africa’s voice heard and to having its concerns taken into account; 3. REQUEST the African Group in New York to continue to promote and defend as a united body, Africa’s interests and priorities with all candidates by making use of its numeric strength and insisting on respect of key principles of fundamental interest to Africa, notably: 4. i) Regional Rrotation; ii) Equitable geographical distribution including gender balance in the appointments to senior positions; iii) Reinforcement of the authority of the General Assembly (e.g. the appointment of the Secretary-General by a formal resolution adopted by secret ballot instead of by acclamation consistent with paragraph 141 of the Rules of Procedures of the General Assembly). CALL UPON the African Members of the UN Security Council to speak with one voice in the selection process at the level of the UN Security Council;