BRICS FMs Flag Gender Imbalance In Top UN Posts

NEW DELHI, May 15 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- BRICS foreign ministers have noted that no woman has ever served as United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and called for greater participation of women in international organisations, according to a statement issued on Friday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"In light of the ongoing selection process of the next Secretary-General of the UN and bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the UN Charter, the Ministers noted that only one national from Latin America and the Caribbean has ever occupied this position and that no woman was ever elected for the role of Secretary General," the statement released after the summit in New Delhi read.

The top BRICS diplomats also called for fair geographical representation within the UN Secretariat and other international organisations and an increased role and representation of women, especially from developing countries, at all levels of leadership and responsibility.

BRICS is an interstate association established in 2006 by Russia, China, India, and Brazil, with South Africa joining in 2011.

Several additional countries joined BRICS at the beginning of 2024.

India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI