Six candidates vying to lead the United Nations emphasized the importance of restoring the organization's credibility during a televised debate on Thursday. The hopefuls, who are set to succeed outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, faced questions from diplomats, UN employees, and civil society representatives.
The candidates included Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal. Each candidate highlighted their experience and ability to address global conflicts and deliver results.
Rebeca Grynspan, who has headed the UN's Conference on Trade and Development, said she aimed to ensure the UN is back at the table in conflict scenarios. Macky Sall, a former president of Senegal, vowed to restore trust and make the UN more agile and effective.
The debate comes as the UN faces a financial and confidence crisis, with accusations of reckless spending and failure to deliver satisfactory results. The US administration, among others, has called for a return to the organization's fundamental purposes of peace, security, human rights, and development.
The selection process will begin with a closed-door, anonymous vote by the Security Council on July 30. The chosen candidate will be formally appointed by the General Assembly and take office on January 1, 2027. Analysts note that while Rafael Grossi is frequently mentioned as a front-runner, the race remains open with several strong contenders.