This year, come September, a new Secretary General will be appointed to the United Nations. Yes, THAT United Nations where a select few countries have a right of veto that prevents any strong actions on anything - because it might be politically inconvenient for one of those veto powers. Maybe a new Secretary General could at last be a harbinger of change? Not likely. Guess who appoints the new Secretary- General? The United Nations Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. That is to say, the Security Council has to first agree on a candidate — requiring at least nine votes and no veto from its five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States). The General Assembly then formally appoints the candidate by a majority of Member States. What chance is there for meaningful reform under such a system? I demand the Security Council be kept out of the Secretary-General appointment process! Vote if you agree.