Six candidates in race to lead UN set for televised debate

UNITED NATIONS: The six candidates for the United Nations secretary-general will debate on Thursday in the symbolic General Assembly Hall, just one week before the formal start of a selection process that is crucial for an organization facing deep crises.

With the campaign lacking a clear favorite and struggling to generate real enthusiasm, the hopefuls will face 90 minutes of questions from diplomats, UN employees and civil society representatives at an event starting at 5:00 p.m. (2100 GMT) and broadcast by Bloomberg.

Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador's Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Macky Sall of Senegal are all in the running to succeed outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Michelle Bachelet is a Chilean politician, physician and global human rights advocate who has held several prominent national and international leadership positions.

She served twice as President of Chile, becoming the country's first woman president, and previously held the portfolios of health minister and Latin America's first female defense minister. 

Bachelet later became the first executive director of UN Women, where she championed women's economic empowerment and efforts to end gender-based violence.

She also served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, promoting equality, inclusion and the protection of fundamental rights worldwide.

María Fernanda Espinosa is an Ecuadorian diplomat, politician and academic with more than three decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy.

She made history as the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to serve as president of the United Nations General Assembly (2018-19).

Espinosa has also served twice as Ecuador's foreign minister, minister of national defense, and permanent representative to the United Nations. A strong advocate for human rights, gender equality, climate action and sustainable development, she currently leads and advises several international organizations while contributing extensively to global policy through research and publications.

Rafael Mariano Grossi is an Argentine diplomat serving as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since December 2019. 

With decades of experience in nuclear diplomacy, arms control and international security, he has played a key role in promoting nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear technology. 

Before leading the IAEA, Grossi served as Argentina's ambassador to Austria and international organizations in Vienna, as well as the IAEA's Deputy Director General. 

Throughout his career, he has participated in major international efforts on nuclear verification, disarmament and global security.

Rebeca Grynspan is a Costa Rican economist, diplomat and international development expert serving as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) since 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the organization. 

She previously served as Ibero-American Secretary-General, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 

Before joining the United Nations, she was vice president of Costa Rica and held several ministerial positions. 

Throughout her career, Grynspan has championed sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, international cooperation, poverty reduction and gender equality.

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett is a Guyanese politician and diplomat serving as permanent representative of Guyana to the United Nations since 2020. 

She previously served as Guyana’s minister of foreign affairs (2008–2015) and minister of Amerindian affairs, where she focused on community development and indigenous peoples’ issues. 

An advocate for inclusive development, Rodrigues-Birkett has also worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization as director of its liaison office in Geneva. 

With extensive experience in diplomacy, international cooperation and public service, she was nominated by Guyana in 2026 as a candidate for the United Nations secretary-general selection.

Macky Sall is a Senegalese politician who served as president of Senegal from 2012 to 2024. 

A trained geological engineer, he previously held key positions including prime minister, president of the National Assembly, and mayor of Fatick. 

Sall founded the Alliance for the Republic after leaving the ruling party and won the 2012 presidential election. 

During his presidency, he focused on infrastructure development, economic growth, regional diplomacy and security cooperation.

He played roles in resolving regional conflicts and promoting African interests internationally. 

Sall is also a candidate for the 2027 United Nations Secretary-General selection.