Six candidates set for televised UN secretary-general debate

The six candidates seeking 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.

 

The 90-minute debate will take place in the UN General Assembly Hall and will feature questions from diplomats, UN staff and civil society representatives. The event will be broadcast live by Bloomberg.

 

The candidates are Michelle Bachelet of Chile, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and Macky Sall of Senegal. They are vying to succeed Antonio Guterres, whose tenure ends on December 31, 2026.

 

President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, said the debate would allow the candidates to present their priorities and leadership vision at a time when the organisation faces significant global challenges.

 

“In an increasingly fragmented world, the United Nations needs not only an exceptional chief administrator… but also the leadership and integrity of someone willing to vigorously defend the UN Charter,” she said.

 

The UN is currently grappling with financial pressures and declining confidence among member states. The administration of US President Donald Trump has criticised the organisation over its spending and effectiveness, calling for a renewed focus on peace and security.

 

Political analysts say the contest has attracted less public attention than the 2016 race that produced Guterres, with candidates taking a cautious approach to avoid alienating the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

 

The Security Council is expected to hold its first confidential straw poll on July 30, after which additional rounds of voting will continue until a candidate secures at least nine votes without a veto from any permanent member.

 

The successful candidate’s name will then be forwarded to the UN General Assembly for formal appointment and will assume office on January 1, 2027.

 

While Rafael Grossi is widely regarded as an early frontrunner, diplomats say the race remains open, with Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also attracting significant support.

 

Several member states are also advocating for the UN to appoint its first female Secretary-General, while Latin American countries argue that the position should rotate to their region under the organisation’s long-standing convention.