The four candidates who are currently vying to become the next UN Secretary-General will have the opportunity this week to demonstrate why they are the best choice during a series of "interactive dialogues" being held at UN headquarters in New York.
From January 1, 2027, there will be a new person at the helm on the 38th floor of UN headquarters: after 10 years and two maximum terms, António Guterres will retire. His successor will not only have to face profound political and financial challenges, but will also be tasked with driving essential reforms to ensure the United Nations is future-proof, at a time when both the UN and international law are under direct attack.
This Tuesday and Wednesday, the two men and two women vying for the position will participate in meetings of the General Assembly , where they will present their vision for the organization and answer questions from member states and representatives of civil society. The questions will focus on their leadership experience, qualifications, UN reforms, and the organization's three pillars : peace and security, development, and human rights.
Four candidates: three from Latin America
The candidates are : Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Chile; Rafael Grossi, current Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Rebeca Grynspan, current Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ); and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal.
The dialogues were convened by the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, who declared on Tuesday morning, before the first session, that they mark a critical step in the selection process, which comes at a decisive moment for the United Nations.
The hardest job in the world
“The election of the Secretary-General has far-reaching consequences that resonate far beyond this building,” said Ms. Baerbock. “ Our decision will shape the direction of the world’s only multilateral organization and demonstrate whether the United Nations truly represents the more than 8000 billion people we serve, half of whom are women and girls.”
He described the selection of the next Secretary-General not just as an administrative decision, but as a statement of intent: " It will send a powerful message about what the United Nations stands for and how it intends to address the challenges of an interconnected world ."
"In short, this is one of the most difficult jobs in the world, but also one of the most important, as the next Secretary-General will not only shape the future of this institution, but, in his role as the main defender of the UN Charter, will also shape the rules-based international order," he added.
Interactive dialogues: how they work
During the dialogues, which last three hours, the candidates will present an opening statement of up to 10 minutes, followed by questions from member states and representatives of civil society to explore their leadership skills and experience.
The exchange will be divided into two thematic segments: the candidates' leadership capabilities, experience, and skills for a strong and future-proof organization; and the three pillars of the United Nations (peace and security, development, and human rights). The candidates' responses to these questions will be a defining moment in the selection process.
The four interactive dialogues will be broadcast live on UN WebTV.
The candidates, in order of participation, are: