Olara Otunnu Outlines UN Experience in Bid for Secretary-General Role

Uganda’s candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, Olara Otunnu, has defended his bid for the world’s top diplomatic office, citing his extensive experience and long record of service within the UN system.

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, Otunnu said his background and contributions at the United Nations make him well qualified for the role.

“I think there are very few people, in all honesty and modesty aside, who have had as deep and as broad an experience of working at the United Nations, around the United Nations, and on issues of the United Nations as myself,” Otunnu said.

He highlighted his previous roles, including serving as Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations, participating in the Security Council and General Assembly, and chairing the Commission on Human Rights, among other international bodies.

“I participated in global negotiations, including discussions on the new economic order and the new security order. I was involved in most of those discussions. I have also served on most of the key international commissions over the years, dealing with issues of peace and security, development, and human rights,” he said.

Otunnu also pointed to his tenure as president of the International Peace Academy, now known as the International Peace Institute, an independent organisation that works closely with the United Nations on peace and security through research, training and policy development.

He further cited his service as Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, saying he helped place the protection and wellbeing of children and civilians at the centre of the UN Security Council’s peace and security agenda.