Trending Now - Four Candidates Compete to Distinguish Themselves for UN Chief

WHO:

ABC News - Candidates include Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), and Macky Sall (Senegal).

AP News - Annalena Baerbock is the president of the U.N. General Assembly.

AP News - Bachelet is a two-time president of Chile and former U.N. human rights chief.

AP News - Grossi is a former Argentine diplomat and director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2019.

AP News - Grynspan is a former Costa Rican vice president and secretary-general of the U.N. trade and development agency since 2021.

AP News - Sall was president of Senegal for 12 years.

WHAT:

ABC News - The candidates were grilled about their views on restoring global peace and ending poverty.

ABC News - There was no clear victor after the candidates fielded questions from U.N. ambassadors.

ABC News - The next U.N. Secretary-General will succeed António Guterres on January 1.

AP News - Bachelet stated, “I stand before you to reclaim the urgent need for dialogue.”

AP News - Grossi mentioned, “there are enormous, huge doubts about our institution” in solving global problems.

AP News - Grynspan said, “We need to take more risks — and I am ready to fail and try again.”

AP News - Sall expressed that he would be “a bridge-builder” and prioritize restoring trust.

WHERE:

ABC News - The events took place at the United Nations headquarters.

WHEN:

ABC News - The candidates fielded questions from U.N. ambassadors this past week.

ABC News - The selection will be made by the U.N. Security Council and the General Assembly must give final approval.

WHY:

ABC News - The candidates emphasized the need for effective leadership to regain the U.N.'s key role in global issues.

AP News - Bachelet responded to criticism from 28 Republican U.S. lawmakers regarding her stance on abortion, stating she respects every country's right to decide.

HOW:

ABC News - The candidates participated in question-and-answer sessions presided over by the General Assembly President.

AP News - Sall noted that the U.N. Charter does not bar any candidates from different regions.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 15:11 UTC)

At the United Nations headquarters, candidates for the next U.N. Secretary-General, including Michelle Bachelet from Chile, Rafael Grossi from Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, and Macky Sall from Senegal, faced tough questions from U.N. ambassadors about restoring global peace and ending poverty. During the sessions, Bachelet emphasized the urgent need for dialogue, Grossi expressed doubts about the U.N.'s effectiveness, Grynspan advocated for taking risks, and Sall positioned himself as a bridge-builder focused on restoring trust. The selection process will culminate on January 1, when the new Secretary-General will succeed António Guterres, following approval from the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly.