New York: Former Senegalese President Macky Sall and three others will present their visions at public UN hearings, offering a rare live-streamed glimpse into the race to succeed Antonio Guterres.
The other nominees are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi, and Costa Rican economist and former vice-president Rebeca Grynspan.
Notably, the UN has never had a woman secretary-general in nearly 80 years—a gap the General Assembly noted last September, urging stronger consideration of female candidates.
The selection comes at a critical time: the next UN chief takes office on Jan. 1, 2027, amid financial strain, unpaid member contributions, and doubts over its ability to manage conflicts effectively.
Continuing this move toward openness, in a shift from closed selections, the process now includes public dialogues, improving transparency and allowing states and the public to assess candidates.
As part of these reforms, on Tuesday and Wednesday, candidates will outline their vision for the United Nations and answer questions from member states and civil society.
During these sessions, discussions will cover leadership experience, reform, and the UN’s pillars of peace, development, and human rights. These dialogues mark a pivotal moment.
“Interactive dialogues with Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi will be on Tuesday, while Rebeca Grynspan and Macky Sall will appear on Wednesday,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
A letter from General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said dialogues will focus on leadership qualities and the UN’s core pillars of peace, development and human rights.
To further broaden engagement, civil society groups will submit questions during sessions, widening participation in the selection process.
Bachelet is a high-profile contender, having served twice as Chile’s first female president and later as head of UN Women.
She also brought her experience to the role of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022.
For his part, Grossi, nominated by Argentina, focuses his bid on institutional efficiency and reform.
As head of the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2019, Grossi has managed sensitive nuclear diplomacy and urged alignment between UN operations and funding realities.
Grynspan, nominated by Costa Rica, is a former chief of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
She argues that restoring trust in the UN’s ability to deliver results in development, trade, and stability is the defining challenge ahead.
In contrast, Sall, nominated by Burundi, brings a distinct perspective shaped by serving as Senegal’s president from 2012 to 2024.
He led one of West Africa’s most stable democracies and became a prominent advocate for African interests globally, further setting him apart in the field.