This week’s Informal Dialogues which started the process of selecting the next UN chief, “exceeded” all expectations.

That’s according to the spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, who led the briefings, giving nine candidates the opportunity to make their case in unprecedented public sessions.

Dan Thomas said there was “great engagement” from Member States, many of whom asked questions during the two-hour candidate sessions, along with civil society groups.

So far, four women and five men have put themselves forward.

Matthew Wells asked Mr Thomas to summarize how the historic briefings over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday had gone.

Duration: 2’57”

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