Rafael Mariano Grossi, a contender for the position of UN Secretary-General, has expressed his commitment to advancing the stalled Security Council reform process by facilitating discussions. Speaking at a candidates’ forum, Grossi acknowledged the need for comprehensive reforms given the evolving circumstances. He emphasized the importance of reaching a solution beneficial to all parties involved and welcomed the opportunity to engage in dialogue on this critical matter.
Grossi, currently serving as the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and nominated by Argentina, is among the four candidates competing to succeed Antonio Guterres. He highlighted the role of the Secretary-General in fostering a conducive environment for constructive discussions on Security Council reform. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Grossi underscored the significance of member states driving the reform process, with the Secretary-General playing a facilitating role.
The G4 nations, comprising India, Japan, Brazil, and Germany, advocate for Council reform by advocating for additional permanent members and supporting each other’s bids for permanent seats. Grossi, responding to a query from Japan’s Permanent Representative Yamazaki Kazuyuki, emphasized the collaborative nature of the reform process. He stressed the Secretary-General’s role in enabling fair and productive discussions among member states, underscoring the need for active diplomacy and concrete actions to address global challenges.
In his vision statement for the UN, Grossi emphasized the organization’s pivotal mission to prevent conflicts and humanitarian crises. He called for a shift from rhetoric to practical diplomacy, emphasizing the Secretary-General’s responsibility to engage impartially with all parties and act decisively in times of discord. Grossi’s candidacy reflects a commitment to revitalizing the UN’s core mandate of maintaining global peace and security through proactive engagement and effective dialogue.
