Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi, prominent candidates for the next United Nations Secretary-General, have commenced public dialogues as part of the ongoing selection process. The interactive sessions, confirmed by a tweet from Katrina vandenHeuvel, are designed to allow Member States and civil society to engage directly with the aspirants. These dialogues are a pivotal step in choosing the successor to incumbent Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026.
"Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi, Each a Candidate for UN Boss, Kick Off Public Dialogues - https://t.co/updgQlB7DD," tweeted Katrina vandenHeuvel, highlighting the commencement of these crucial public engagements.
Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was jointly nominated by Brazil and Mexico in February 2026. However, her home country, Chile, under President José Antonio Kast, withdrew its support for her candidacy on March 24, 2026, a significant development in her campaign. Rafael Grossi, the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was nominated by Argentina in December 2025 and has also received endorsements from Italy and Paraguay.
The selection process, formally initiated on November 25, 2025, involves a series of interactive dialogues, with Bachelet and Grossi scheduled to engage with stakeholders on April 21, 2026. These three-hour sessions, webcast live, allow candidates to present their vision and respond to questions on leadership, peace and security, development, and human rights. The General Assembly President, Annalena Baerbock, emphasized that these dialogues are crucial for demonstrating accountability and leadership in a challenging global environment.
The final decision for the next Secretary-General rests with the 193-member General Assembly, following a recommendation from the Security Council. While the process aims for transparency and inclusivity, the five permanent members of the Security Council hold veto power, making diplomatic alignment behind closed doors a critical factor. Other registered candidates include Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Macky Sall of Senegal, who are also participating in these public dialogues.
