RismadarVoice Reporters
June 10, 2026
Three prominent female leaders seeking to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations have argued that the global body is overdue for its first woman leader, as the race to succeed António Guterres gathers momentum.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan, and former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister María Fernanda Espinosa presented their visions for the UN during a public debate in Geneva on Tuesday.
The candidates are competing to replace Guterres, whose second five-year term will conclude at the end of 2026. The discussion, organised by independent groups in Geneva, focused on leadership, reform, and the future of multilateral cooperation.
Espinosa stressed that after eight decades of the United Nations’ existence, the organisation should finally be led by a woman.
She, however, noted that gender alone should not determine the outcome, arguing that the next Secretary-General must be a capable and energetic leader with the experience required to navigate complex global challenges.
Bachelet, who previously served as both Chile’s president and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, echoed similar sentiments. She said women often bring a more human-centred approach to leadership but insisted that competence must remain the primary criterion.
The 74-year-old highlighted her willingness to take difficult decisions and speak out when necessary, describing herself as a leader unafraid of risks or setbacks.
Meanwhile, Grynspan, the current Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said her candidacy is based on experience and qualifications rather than gender considerations.
The former vice president of Costa Rica argued that the selection process should remain merit-based, maintaining that she is best suited for the role because of her extensive international experience.
The debate took place at Geneva’s Maison de la Paix, located near the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations.
Also contesting the position are Rafael Grossi of Argentina, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. While Grossi did not participate in the debate, Sall contributed through a recorded video message.
The next Secretary-General will be chosen through a process that begins with a recommendation from the United Nations Security Council. Any of the council’s five permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States can block a candidate through the use of a veto.
Security Council deliberations are expected to begin in July, with a vote by the General Assembly anticipated later in the year.
The candidates also addressed challenges confronting the United Nations, including financial constraints, ongoing conflicts across several regions, and declining confidence in multilateral institutions.
Espinosa described the UN as an indispensable global platform despite growing competition from other international actors.
According to her, the organisation remains the only truly universal forum capable of bringing countries together to address shared global problems.
Grynspan acknowledged the UN’s unique role but argued that the institution must adapt by building stronger partnerships beyond traditional diplomatic circles. She also suggested that organisational culture within the UN requires reform.
For her part, Bachelet pledged to lead independently and maintain a strong presence in conflict zones and areas facing humanitarian crises.
The campaign has already attracted political scrutiny. Some Republican lawmakers in the United States have reportedly called on Washington to oppose Bachelet’s candidacy because she supported abortion rights.
Responding to the criticism, Bachelet said she would not be discouraged if her advocacy for democracy, human rights, women’s rights, and multilateral cooperation became grounds for opposition.
She remarked that being rejected for defending such principles would be an honour.
As discussions continue, many member states are backing the idea of a female Secretary-General for the first time in the UN’s history. Latin American nations are also pushing for the position to return to their region under the organisation’s informal geographical rotation tradition.
The coming months are expected to determine whether the United Nations finally breaks its highest glass ceiling by appointing its first woman leader.
