Former foreign minister Bob Carr believes the United Nations could do with a dose of Kevin Rudd’s “legendary forcefulness”.

There’s been some speculation Mr Rudd covets the United Nations secretary general gig.

The incumbent Ban Ki-moon finishes his second term in 2016.

Mr Carr on Saturday told reporters at a Sydney bookstore, while spruiking his memoir, that Mr Rudd had his support.

“He would be a very strong credible candidate,” Mr Carr said.

“It would be the most natural thing in the world for him to stand.

“I think the forcefulness Kevin showed sometimes in selling a case might be considered by some in the UN as an advantage,” Mr Carr said.

A lot of members of the UN General Assembly liked Mr Rudd’s agenda and Australia’s international personality.

“Climate change, arms control, protection of marine environment were things that appealed,” Mr Carr said.

During Australia’s bid to win a seat on the Security Council Mr Carr said 14 members from the Caribbean had been impressed by Mr Rudd’s apology to the Aboriginal stolen generation.

“These things would stand him in good stead if he chooses to stand,” Mr Carr said.

He denied that Australia’s harsh treatment of asylum seekers at detention camps on Nauru and Manus Island could count against the former prime minister.

The UN General Assembly appoints the secretary general on the recommendation of the Security Council.

The five permanent Security Council members – France, Britain, China, Russia and the US – have the power to veto candidates.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rudd said the appointments for UN secretary general are made on a cyclical geographical basis and the next one would come from eastern Europe.

“Last time I looked, Australia was not in Eastern Europe,” she said.

“For those reasons, Mr Rudd is not a candidate.”

AAP