UNITED NATIONS, July 23 (Alliance News): Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General are set to participate in a televised debate on Thursday, one week before the formal selection process begins for the world body’s top leadership position.
The 90-minute debate will take place in the UN General Assembly Hall and will be broadcast live by Bloomberg, allowing diplomats, UN staff and civil society representatives to question the candidates about their priorities and vision for the organisation.
The candidates seeking to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026, are Michelle Bachelet (Chile), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) and Macky Sall (Senegal).
General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the debate would provide a rare opportunity to assess the leadership qualities, priorities and vision of those seeking one of the world’s most influential diplomatic positions.
She said the United Nations required a leader capable of modernising the organisation while firmly defending the UN Charter and its three core pillars of peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.
The UN is currently facing one of its most challenging periods, grappling with financial constraints and growing criticism over its effectiveness. The United States has called for sweeping reforms, arguing that the organisation should focus more on its core mandate of maintaining international peace and security, while many member states continue to emphasise the equal importance of development and human rights.
Ahead of Thursday’s debate, each candidate had already answered questions from representatives of all 193 UN member states during individual three-hour sessions, with most highlighting institutional reforms, improved efficiency and a stronger diplomatic role for the secretary-general in resolving global conflicts.
The formal selection process will begin on July 30, when the 15-member UN Security Council conducts its first confidential straw poll to gauge support for the candidates. Additional rounds of voting will continue until one candidate secures at least nine votes without facing a veto from any of the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Security Council will then recommend its preferred candidate to the UN General Assembly for formal appointment. The successful nominee will assume office on January 1, 2027.
Diplomatic observers say the race remains open, with Rafael Grossi widely viewed as an early frontrunner, while Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also enjoy considerable support. Analysts note that a consensus candidate could still emerge during the voting process.
Latin American countries are seeking the post under the principle of regional rotation, while many UN member states are also calling for the appointment of the organisation’s first female Secretary-General.
