UN Secretary-General Position Piques IAEA Chief's Interest
Revamped Article:
In the UN's customary rotation, the top job should theoretically pass to a Latin American after Portuguese incumbent Antonio Guterres finishes his second term in 2026. Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi, 64, has hinted at his interest in the position, expressing, "I'm considering that very, very seriously."
A secretary-general would need the backing of all the veto-wielding permanent five powers—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States. Grossi brings a wealth of diplomatic and nuclear policy experience to the table, having served as the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since late 2019.
Before his stint at the IAEA, Grossi was the watchdog agency's chief of staff and later served as Argentina's ambassador to Austria. He has proven himself capable, having led the dispatch of IAEA experts to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a move that demonstrated his agility in crisis management.
One of the other possible candidates, Michelle Bachelet, the former President of Chile, has expressed her willingness to run for the position, announcing her intention at a UN event last month. Should she secure the post, Bachelet would become the first female UN chief, a historic milestone.
Notably, Bachelet has served as the UN high commissioner for human rights in the past. Her tenure faced criticism, especially when she visited China, including the western region of Xinjiang, during the twilight of her term in 2022.
Other hopefuls include Amina J. Mohammed, the current UN deputy secretary-general, Vuk Jeremić, a former Serbian foreign minister, and María Fernanda Espinosa, a former president of the UN General Assembly. Each of these individuals has a unique set of skills and experiences that could make them strong contenders for the role.
The selection process is a complex political game, with candidates needing to win nine votes from the 15 members of the UN Security Council without any veto from the permanent members. A woman taking the helm for the first time would be a significant shift in UN leadership.
- Should Rafael Grossi decide to pursue the role, Russia, as one of the veto-wielding permanent five powers in the UN Security Council, will be a crucial player in determining his success.
- A diplomat from France and a potential candidate for the UN Secretary-General position might also factor into the international politics of the selection process in 2025.
- The General News outlet AFP has reported that policy-and-legislation discussions surrounding the UN's leadership change may involve diverse candidates from various nations, like Chile, and their respective human rights records.
- Considering Rafael Grossi's diplomatic experience and recent tenure as the International Atomic Energy Agency's director-general, his appeals to the United States for support could play a significant role in the contest for the UN's top job.
- The country of Chile, with Michelle Bachelet as a potential candidate for the UN Secretary-General position, has shown its commitment to international diplomacy by actively participating in global affairs, including human rights discussions.
- The diplomatic spaces of several nations, such as Russia, France, and the United States, will be instrumental in shaping the policy-and-legislation landscape surrounding the selection of the next UN Secretary-General in 2026.
- The struggle for global leadership among the various diplomats vying for the UN Secretary-General position will likely be covered extensively in the General News category, revealing the political dynamics at play within these international organizations.
