Four candidates vie to lead UN amid global turmoil

Four candidates are vying to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the organisation faces escalating global instability, ongoing conflicts, and a severe financial crisis.

Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, and Senegal’s Macky Sall will each undergo public question-and-answer sessions with UN member states and NGOs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Each hearing will last three hours.

It marks only the second time the UN has held such public hearings, a format introduced in 2016 in an effort to improve transparency in the selection process.

However, the final decision rests with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China - each of whom holds veto power over the appointment.

The process comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with the United States indicating that its support will be contingent on alignment with its priorities.

US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz has said the next Secretary-General must reflect "American values and interests", while stopping short of endorsing any specific candidate.

All four contenders have pledged to restore trust in the organisation, which faces criticism over its effectiveness and financial strain linked in part to unpaid contributions from major member states.

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, 74, was the country’s first female head of state, serving two terms from 2006.

She later became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, where she drew criticism from some governments, including China, over reports on alleged abuses of Uyghur Muslims.

She has described herself as well placed to respond to what she calls an "unprecedented" period of global crises.

Her candidacy has received backing from Mexico and Brazil, though Chile withdrew support following a change in government.

Rafael Grossi, 65, is Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a role he has held since 2019.

He has been centrally involved in monitoring Iran’s nuclear programme and overseeing nuclear safety concerns in Ukraine.

His approach has been closely watched by both Washington and Moscow.

Grossi has argued the UN must "return to its founding promise" of preventing war.

Rebeca Grynspan, 70, is Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development.

A former vice president of Costa Rica, she played a key diplomatic role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled grain exports from Ukraine during the war with Russia.

She has emphasised her personal background and the importance of the UN Charter, describing it as a warning against "dehumanisation, distrust and fragmentation".

Former Senegalese president Macky Sall, 64, is the only non-Latin American candidate.

He has highlighted the link between development and peace in his campaign for the role.

His nomination, put forward by Burundi, has proven divisive within Africa, with several member states opposing his candidacy.

Senegalese authorities have also faced criticism over his handling of political unrest between 2021 and 2024.