I'm open to meeting with Rudd: Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she's up for a meeting with Kevin Rudd if their paths cross in New York.

Ms Bishop will be in the Big Apple next week with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who is attending the annual United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Rudd had lobbied to be in the race for the next UN secretary-general but the former prime minister failed to secure Mr Turnbull's support.

Mr Turnbull said Mr Rudd had poor interpersonal skills and lacked the temperament for the top diplomatic job.

Ms Bishop, who is believed to have backed Mr Rudd's bid, says she's happy to meet with the former Labor leader.

"I haven't planned to but if he's here I'll see him," she told reporters in Washington on Saturday (AEST).

Mr Rudd, who is now the chair of the Independent Commission on Multilateralism, won't be far away in New York.

He'll be helping launch the group's final report on its vision for the UN.

Ms Bishop said the government had yet to decide who it would endorse for the job because other candidates could still put their names forward.

"I imagine that over the coming weeks we'll see more candidates, not less."