UN deputy chief denies intention of running for next secretary-general

UNITED NATIONS, July 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday denied that she is seeking to become the next secretary-general.

"I'm not a candidate for secretary-general of the United Nations," she told reporters, while denying that there were "backdoor meetings" to advocate for her candidacy.

She has no intention of running for the position of secretary-general, which is a very serious responsibility, Mohammed said, adding that having worked alongside Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the past nine and a half years had filled her with pride and made her feel humbled.

"So let me finish the job that I've been given, and then I have a much, much, I think, more attractive job at home in Nigeria, in Africa," Mohammed said.

She believes in geographical rotation for the selection of the UN secretary-general. "In Latin America and the Caribbean, we can find a woman candidate for the job," Mohammed said.

There are currently six candidates for the next UN secretary-general, including four women from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The current secretary-general's term of office expires at the end of this year. Enditem