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The six candidates vying to become the next United Nations secretary-general are set to take part in a public debate on Thursday at the UN General Assembly Hall, just a week before the formal selection process begins for the organization’s top post.
The 90-minute debate, starting at 5:00 pm local time (2100 GMT), will feature questions from diplomats, UN staff and civil society representatives and will be broadcast by Bloomberg. The event comes as the UN grapples with mounting financial pressures and questions over its global effectiveness.
The candidates seeking to succeed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and Macky Sall of Senegal.
General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the debate as a rare opportunity to examine the candidates’ priorities, leadership vision and plans for reforming the United Nations.
She said the next secretary-general must not only modernize the organization for the 21st century but also firmly defend the UN Charter and its three core pillars of peace and security, human rights, and development.
The race comes at a challenging time for the UN, which faces both financial constraints and declining confidence. The administration of US President Donald Trump has criticized the organization for excessive spending, expanding beyond its core responsibilities and failing to deliver effective results. Washington has urged the UN to refocus on maintaining international peace and security, while many other member states insist that human rights and sustainable development remain equally important priorities.
Despite the high stakes, analysts say the campaign has lacked the excitement of previous contests. International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan said the race has been notably cautious, with candidates seeking to avoid alienating the United States and other permanent members of the Security Council that hold veto power.
The contenders have already undergone extensive questioning by representatives of the UN’s 193 member states, with most emphasizing ongoing reforms to improve efficiency and calling for a stronger role for the secretary-general in global peace efforts.
The Security Council is scheduled to hold its first confidential “straw poll” on July 30. Candidates must eventually secure at least nine votes from the 15-member council without facing a veto from any of its five permanent members before the successful nominee is recommended to the General Assembly for formal appointment.
The new secretary-general will assume office on January 1, 2027.
Diplomats say the outcome remains uncertain, with several countries yet to decide their preferred candidate. While Rafael Grossi is widely viewed as the current frontrunner, Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett are also considered strong contenders, and observers have not ruled out the emergence of a surprise candidate.
Latin America is seeking the post under the UN’s informal system of regional rotation, while many member states are also advocating for the appointment of the organization’s first-ever woman secretary-general.
