UN Secretary-General race enters interactive two-day phase at UN General Assembly
UN General Assembly begins April 21–22, 2026 interactive dialogues with four candidates for UN Secretary-General, allowing member states to probe visions and leadership. (156 characters)
The United Nations General Assembly launched two days of interactive dialogues on April 21–22, 2026 with the four candidates seeking to become the next UN Secretary-General. The sessions are intended to give all 193 member states—and representatives of civil society—a direct opportunity to hear candidates’ agendas and to question their plans for leading the organisation after António Guterres, whose current term ends on December 31, 2026. The move is being presented by the Assembly leadership as a core element of a transparent and inclusive selection process.
General Assembly Opens Two-Day Candidate Dialogues
Annalena Baerbock, serving as president of the General Assembly for these proceedings, described the dialogues as an essential step toward an open selection process. She said the events will allow candidates to present their priorities and respond directly to concerns from member states and civil society. The Assembly framed the meetings as a chance to ensure the next UN Secretary-General is prepared to lead an organisation confronting renewed global strains.
Candidates Outline Agendas and Answer Member Questions
Each candidate is allotted a three-hour interactive session beginning with a 10-minute opening statement outlining their vision for the UN. Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Rafael Grossi of Argentina addressed delegates on the first day, while Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Macky Sall of Senegal are scheduled to present on April 22, 2026. Following opening remarks, delegates and civil society participants will pose questions designed to test the candidates’ priorities and policy approaches.
Sessions Designed to Test Leadership on Peace, Development and Rights
The dialogues are structured around two main themes: the leadership qualities and experience of each candidate, and the UN’s three pillars of work—peace and security, development, and human rights. Assembly leaders stressed that the candidate assessment must examine how nominees would manage these interlinked mandates. Delegates are expected to press candidates on responses to contemporary crises as well as on long-term strategies for sustainable development and human-rights protections.
Member States and Civil Society Given Direct Access
The General Assembly emphasised that the format deliberately opens space for civil-society voices alongside state delegations, creating a broader forum than prior closed consultations. The inclusion of civil society aims to surface grassroots concerns and practical policy suggestions that national representatives might spotlight. With 193 member states participating, the sessions present a rare public accountability moment in what is often a confidential selection process.
Selection Seen as a Test for UN Reform and Global Representation
Assembly officials framed the choice of the next UN Secretary-General as more than an administrative appointment, characterising it instead as a political signal about the organisation’s future direction. They said the incoming leader will be expected to spearhead substantive reforms so the UN can respond effectively to 21st-century challenges. Observers note that the pick will also reflect how member states judge the organisation’s capacity to represent a global population of more than eight billion people, including the concerns of women and girls who constitute roughly half of the world’s population.
Candidates Face Questions on Institutional Capacity and Priorities
Throughout the dialogues, delegates are likely to probe how contenders would strengthen the UN’s capacity, manage resources, and coordinate across agencies. Questions are expected on conflict prevention, climate-related security risks, humanitarian response, and mechanisms to uphold human-rights norms. The three-hour sessions provide time for detailed exchanges about both immediate crises and long-range institutional reforms.
The interactive dialogues are part of a two-day public phase designed to clarify each candidate’s priorities ahead of further steps in the selection process. Member states and civil-society actors will scrutinise responses in the coming days as capitals worldwide digest the arguments made in New York. The Assembly’s emphasis on transparency aims to bolster legitimacy for whoever succeeds António Guterres at the end of his current term on December 31, 2026.
