Six Candidates Debate Visions for United Nations Secretary-General

Six candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General participated in a town hall debate on July 23, 2026, at the General Assembly Hall in New York. Organized by Annalena Baerbock, the President of the General Assembly, the event allowed the contenders to outline their priorities and leadership visions before the formal selection process begins on July 30. The candidates include Rafael Mariano Grossi, Michelle Bachelet, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rebeca Grynspan, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Macky Sall.

The debate occurs as the organization faces a budget crisis and a confidence gap. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that the UN return to its fundamental goals of peace and security, accusing the body of reckless spending. Consequently, candidates have focused their platforms on streamlining UN structures to reduce costs and increasing the representation of Africa and Latin America on the Security Council.

To succeed Antonio Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, a candidate must receive nine votes from the 15-member Security Council and avoid a veto from any permanent member. While Rafael Mariano Grossi has been described as a front-runner, other candidates remain competitive. The successful appointee will take office on January 1, 2027.