More speculation Helen Clark in running for top UN job

Helen Clark has never declared her interest in leading the UN byt her name appears high on the list of potential candidates. Photo / UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Speculation that Helen Clark will apply for the top job at the United Nations is ramping up, as the organisation asks member states to submit candidates for Secretary-General and urges women to apply for the role.

Although New Zealand's former Prime Minister has never declared her interest in leading the UN, her name appears high on the list of potential candidates whenever the post is publicly discussed.

Head of the United Nations Development Programme at present -- number three in the UN's hierarchy -- Clark told the Herald in 2014: "If there's enough support for the style of leadership that I have, it will be interesting."

Yesterday, General Assembly president Mogens Lykketoft called for women to apply for the position.

"Bearing in mind that in 70 years the UN has never had a female secretary-general, the inclusion and consideration of woman candidates should be an important focus for all of us," he said.

Eight men have held the office in the past.

Labour's foreign affairs spokesman David Shearer told RNZ National he thought Clark would "have a crack" at getting the job.

"The word on the street is that she's been for some time talking about it and testing out the waters with various people."

Prime Minister John Key has said he would support a bid by Clark, if she was to put her hand up for the job.

The term of Ban Ki-moon, current head of the world body, will finish at the end of next year, with the UN hoping to begin its selection process by the end of July next year.

Reforms within the UN's selection process will allow General Assembly member states for the first time to see basic information about all candidates, including their resumes, and to meet and question them.

But a number of barriers remain firmly in place, with the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, Britain, Russia, France and China, having the most say.

Herald political editor Audrey Young said Clark's chances rested on whether Eastern Europe could come up with a consensus candidate acceptable to Europe, the United States and Russia.

"With the current crisis in relations over Ukraine, that is not a simple task.

"If it can't find a consensus candidate, Clark will almost certainly seek the post and will be a front runner."

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A campaign for more transparency in the selection process, called 1 for 7 Billion, has been conducting an online poll asking what qualities people would like to see in the next UN chief.

"Have the courage to stand up to powerful countries" leads the way with 38 per cent of the more than 325 responses so far, spokeswoman Justine Brouillard said.

New Zealand was one of six elected security council members to sign a statement saying the council had been slow to engage with the General Assembly on the selection process, complaining that this is essential given the call "for dialogue and a more transparent and inclusive process of decision-making on this issue".

- Susan Strongman NZ Herald and AP