The future of the UN

The UN could have its first female leader

Seven candidates have now been selected in the hunt for a new UN Secretary-General, writes TT. The latest to be nominated as António Guterres' successor is 75-year-old Olara Otunnu from Uganda, reports AFP.

The election is being held in a "crisis-ridden world organization" that is being shaken by harsh criticism and deadlocks in the Security Council.

One of the hottest names is Michelle Bachelet from Chile. If she were to be elected, she would become the first woman in the post.

According to TT, the UN's ambition to try to achieve geographical spread in the leadership could mean that one of the candidates from Latin America could be highly relevant.

The candidates will next be discussed behind closed doors in the UN Security Council. The formal election is expected to take place later this fall. 

The candidates for the job

Michelle Bachelet, Chile – former president of Chile and head of the UN gender equality agency UN Women

Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuador – former president of the UN General Assembly.

Rafael Grossi, Argentina – director-general of the UN Atomic Energy Agency.

Rebeca Grynspan, Costa Rica – former minister.

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana – former foreign minister.

Macky Sall, Senegal – former president of Senegal and chair of the African Union.

Olara Otunnu – former foreign minister and UN envoy.

Source: FN/TT