United Nations: Six candidates compete to succeed Guterres

The candidates answered questions about the challenges facing the United Nations, including the deadlock in the Security Council, financial pressures, and the growing number of international crises.

The event comes at a time when an unconfirmed report that FIFA President Gianni Infantino might enter the race sparked debate at UN headquarters.

The announced candidates are Argentine Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency; former Senegalese President Macky Sall; Costa Rican diplomat Rebecca Greenspan; Guyana’s ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodriguez Berkett; former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet; and former UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador.

Diplomats and UN observers have not yet clearly identified a preferred candidate, and additional candidates could still enter the race.

The New York Post reported this week that US President Donald Trump may support Infantino, with whom he has close ties, for the position.

UN expert Richard Jovan said Infantino’s name has appeared in discussions about potential independent candidates for UN Secretary-General for some time, albeit more in jest than in seriousness.

Even if the United States were to nominate the Swiss citizen, Jovan said Infantino’s close ties to Trump would likely prompt skepticism from China and Russia in particular regarding his neutrality, casting doubt on his chances.

The Security Council will first vote on a recommendation for a candidate, with its five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—able to block any nomination using their veto power.

António Guterres, who is Portuguese, will leave office at the end of this year after serving the maximum two terms. The Security Council is scheduled to hold its first informal preliminary voting later this month.