UNITED NATIONS: UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said a woman should lead the United Nations for the first time since it was established more than 70 years ago.

In an interview with Associated Press in Los Angeles, Ban said that “it’s high time now” for a woman secretary general after eight men at the helm.

There are some 11 candidates vying to succeed Ban: six men and five women.

He said that the decision was not up to him, but to the 15-member security council, which must recommend a candidate to the 193-member general assembly for its approval.

“We have many distinguished and eminent women leaders in national governments or other organisations or even business communities, political communities, and cultural and every aspect of our life,” Ban said.

“There’s no reason why not in the United Nations.”

Without giving any names, he said there were “many distinguished, motivated women leaders who can really change this world, who can actively engage with the other leaders of the world”.

“So that’s my humble suggestion, but that’s up to member states,” Ban said.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2016