Voice of America UN correspondent Margaret Besheer speaks to Andrew Dickens on KPMG Early Edition about Helen Clark's run for the position of Secretary General.

Besheer says that many see Clark as the candidate of the UN establishment, and impression that Clark is attempting to downplay. 

VIDEO: Helen Clark in the "world's most public job interview"

Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has come out swinging in a two-hour question-and-answer session at the United Nations, pointing to her history in advancing women's rights.

Ms Clark, a frontrunner for the UN's top job, has the full backing of the New Zealand government unlike potential rival former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, who hasn't formally announced his bid.

She is one of nine candidates to officially run for the job, and was asked about topics ranging from cyber terrorism, her use of Twitter, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, global warming, UN Security Council reform and gender equality.