In New York, the Toyin Saraki Global Policy and Philanthropy Office and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa were represented at the United Nations Town Hall, The Next Secretary-General, convened in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Annalena Baerbock, with the support of Bloomberg as global media partner. WBFA was present in the Foundation’s capacity as a holder of Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The Town Hall assembled the six candidates seeking to succeed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, namely H.E. Michelle Bachelet of Chile, H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Director General Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and H.E. Macky Sall of Senegal, each responding to questions from diplomats, United Nations staff and civil society ahead of the Security Council’s first informal ballot on 30 July.

The selection of the next Secretary-General bears directly upon the health and wellbeing of the mothers, newborns, children, adolescents, families and communities whom the Wellbeing Foundation Africa serves across Nigeria and the wider African continent, and upon the midwives, nurses and frontline health workers upon whom their care depends. Our presence in the Hall expressed our abiding conviction that their voices must be heard wherever the future of multilateralism is deliberated.

As the United Nations prepares to entrust its highest office to new stewardship, we invite all Member States to weigh each candidate’s dedication to universal health coverage, to the survival and flourishing of every mother and newborn, and to the full realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa stands ready to serve alongside the next Secretary-General in pursuit of a healthier, fairer and more peaceful world.

 

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