Way too many senior international organization managers are there through patronage rather than merit.

There is an unfortunate policy in the Secretariat and some of the larger agencies of geographical distribution of posts.  Some countries have reasonably transparent and competitive processes to select such staff.  Others are using the quota as a means to dispense favors.

There is a need for reform in the UN, and a decent initiative has been underway throughout this year - that is until Bolton showed up.  I did an entry on this back in late August.