Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Pros and cons of Kevin Rudd's UN tilt

Does Kevin Rudd have what it takes to be United Nations Secretary-General?

FOR AND AGAINST KEVIN RUDD AS UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

AGAINST:

* Most recent UNSG Ban Ki-moon is from Asia, before him UNSG was from Latin America/Caribbean and Africa, which means it's Europe's turn

* There's never been an Eastern Europe UNSG

* There have been calls for a female UNSG

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

* A woman from Eastern Europe such as UNESCO chief Irina Bokova from Bulgaria would be a favoured prospect

* Rudd doesn't yet have Australia's endorsement.

FOR

* Is a former prime minister

* Has diplomatic experience

* Fluent in Mandarin

* Highly regarded in Asia

* Friendly with UN Security Council's permanent members - China, Britain, Russia, France and the US - whose endorsement is crucial.


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world