Six Candidates Vie to Lead UN in Televised Debate

The six candidates vying to become the next United Nations secretary-general are set to take part in a televised debate on Thursday, one week before the formal selection process begins.

The 90-minute debate will be held in the UN General Assembly Hall, where candidates will answer questions from diplomats, UN staff and civil society representatives. The event will be broadcast live.

The candidates seeking to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres are Michelle Bachelet of Chile, María 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 said the debate would give the international community a rare opportunity to assess the candidates' leadership, priorities and vision for the United Nations.

She said the organisation needs a leader capable of modernising the UN while upholding its core principles of peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.

The leadership race comes at a challenging time for the United Nations, which is facing financial pressures and growing scrutiny over its effectiveness. The administration of US President Donald Trump has criticised the organisation over its spending and priorities, calling for a stronger focus on its core peace and security mandate.

Political analysts say this year's contest has been more cautious than the 2016 race, with candidates avoiding positions that could alienate major powers holding veto authority in the UN Security Council.

The candidates have already participated in extensive question-and-answer sessions with representatives of the UN's 193 member states, where many highlighted the need for institutional reforms, greater efficiency and a stronger role for the secretary-general in conflict prevention and peace efforts.

On 30 July, the 15-member UN Security Council is scheduled to hold its first confidential "straw poll" to gauge support for the candidates. Additional rounds of voting will follow until one candidate secures at least nine votes without being vetoed by any of the council's five permanent members.

The Security Council's nominee will then be submitted to the General Assembly for formal appointment. The next secretary-general will assume office on 1 January 2027.

Diplomats say the race remains open, with Rafael Grossi widely viewed as an early frontrunner, although Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett are also seen as strong contenders. Some observers believe a surprise candidate could still emerge before the final vote.

Latin America is seeking the post under the UN's informal regional rotation practice, while many member states are also advocating for the appointment of the organisation's first female secretary-general.