Five candidates have been nominated to compete for the position of the next United Nations secretary-general. The election process, set to commence next month, will involve interactive sessions where each candidate will present their case for leading the 193-member organization. The process aims to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.
Starting on April 20, the candidates will participate in three-hour interactive sessions, facing questions and presenting their vision for the organization. The dialogue will be open to civil society organizations and will be broadcast online. The call for candidates, initiated last year, emphasized the importance of gender equality in leadership roles within the UN.
Among the candidates are three women and two men vying for the top UN position. The women candidates include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Costa Rica’s nominee Rebecca Grynspan, and Virginia Gamba from Argentina. The male candidates are Rafael Grossi from Argentina and Macky Sall from Burundi. The nomination process is ongoing, with nominations closing on April 1.
The selection of the next UN secretary-general requires a simple majority in the General Assembly. However, the decision heavily relies on the Security Council, where veto powers of permanent members play a significant role. The chosen candidate will need to demonstrate strong leadership, governance experience, and management skills to navigate the UN through reforms and challenges.
