Speaking to media today (21 Apr), UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock opened the first interactive dialogue with Secretary General candidates, calling the role “one of the toughest” yet “most important” jobs in the world, with the next leader set to shape both the UN’s future and the international rules based order.

The four candidates so far in the running to be the next UN Secretary-General will each have the chance to show why they are the best choice during a series of “interactive dialogues” taking place at UN Headquarters in New York this week.

From 1 January 2027, there will be a new person in charge on the 38th floor of UN Headquarters: after 10 years, having completed the maximum two mandates, António Guterres is stepping down.

His successor will not only have to navigate profound political and financial challenges but will also be tasked with advancing essential reforms to ensure the United Nations is fit for the future – at a time when the UN and international law are under direct attack.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the two men and two women vying for the position are taking part in meetings of the General Assembly during which they will outline their vision for the United Nations and answer questions from Member States and civil society representatives about their leadership experience and qualifications, UN reform and the three pillars of the organisation – peace and security, development and human rights.

They are Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Chile; Rafael Grossi, current head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Rebeca Grynspan, current head of the UN trade and development agency (UNCTAD); and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal.

The dialogues are being convened by the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, who told journalists on Tuesday morning, shortly before the first session that they mark a critical step in the selection process which, she said, comes at a pivotal moment for the United Nations.

“The selection of the Secretary-General has widespread consequences that resonate far beyond this building,” declared Baerbock. “Our choice will shape the direction of the world’s unique multilateral organization and demonstrate whether the United Nations truly represents the more than eight billion people we serve around the world, half of whom are women and girls.”

She described the selection of the next Secretary-General as not simply an administrative decision, but also a statement of intent. “It will send a powerful message about what the United Nations stands for and how it intends to address the challenges of today’s interconnected world.”

“In a nutshell, this is one of the toughest jobs in the world,” declared Ms. Baerbock, “but it is also one of the most important, as the next Secretary-General will not only shape the future of this institution but, in her or his role as the strongest defender of the UN Charter, also that of the international rules-based order.”