Macky Sall declines press conference after UN General Assembly speech
via SeneNews4 min read
Macky Sall, a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, is scheduled to deliver his first official speech before the General Assembly this Wednesday. This address is part of the selection process for the UN's top leadership, with several individuals vying to succeed the current head of the organization. However, according to information from La Neice Collins, communications officer for the President of the UN General Assembly, the former President of Senegal has declined to meet with the international press after his speech. This decision deviates from the usual procedure for candidates, who typically answer media questions following their presentations. In contrast, other official candidates, including Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, and Rebeca Grynspan, have confirmed their participation in press exchanges, which are included in the validated program. Macky Sall's speech is a significant step in his campaign to lead the United Nations, marking his first official address to member states in New York to present his vision and priorities for international issues. His choice not to participate in the press conference has drawn attention, particularly in a process where transparency and media interaction are considered central.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadSenegal has officially announced its support for the candidacy of former President Macky Sall for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. This decision was communicated on Monday via a statement from the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad. The announcement follows a meeting on Friday, July 17, 2026, between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall at the Presidential Palace, where the former head of state presented his candidacy. The official document states that the discussions were held in a cordial and courteous atmosphere, reflecting President Faye's commitment to dialogue, state continuity, and national interests. Following the meeting, President Faye decided to offer Senegal's full support to his predecessor's candidacy. He has instructed the government and Senegal's diplomatic network to actively promote this candidacy among UN member states. President Faye also called upon all national stakeholders to support this candidacy, which is now presented as Senegal's bid, aimed at serving Africa and fostering more effective multilateralism.
Donald Trump, attending the 2026 World Cup final in New York, expressed his satisfaction with the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He witnessed Spain's victory over Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium and participated in the medal and trophy ceremony alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump praised the event as one of the greatest sporting spectacles ever organized, commending FIFA and its president for their work and highlighting how the competition showcased the United States to global visitors. He also revealed his intention to submit a new bid for the United States to host a future World Cup, planning discussions with Gianni Infantino to bring the prestigious football competition back to the country. Trump admitted he had underestimated the tournament's popularity, having initially worried about stadium attendance, but these concerns were dispelled by the high turnout throughout the event. Despite the positive assessment from organizers, the 2026 World Cup faced criticism regarding excessive security measures, match schedules, controversial referee decisions, hydration breaks due to heat, and high ticket prices. Some delegations also raised concerns about the organization. Nevertheless, FIFA and the United States consider this edition a success and are already looking to host another World Cup in the coming years.
The latest FIFA rankings, released after the 2026 World Cup, show significant changes for several national teams. Spain has climbed to the number one position, displacing Argentina, which is now second. France remains in third place, and England holds fourth. Brazil moved up one spot to fifth, while Portugal dropped two places to seventh. Belgium and the Netherlands swapped positions, with Belgium now eighth and the Netherlands ninth. In Africa, Morocco advanced one place to sixth, solidifying its status as the top African team following a strong performance that saw them reach the quarterfinals. Conversely, Senegal experienced a notable decline, falling three places to 18th, putting them outside the top 15 globally. This drop is attributed to their performance in the North American World Cup, which did not meet expectations. Mexico, a co-host, made a significant jump of four places, re-entering the top 10 at tenth. Other notable movements include Colombia gaining two places, while Germany and Croatia each fell two spots. Switzerland saw one of the biggest gains, moving up five places to 14th, just ahead of Italy, which dropped three places to 15th. The most dramatic rise was Norway, which surged twelve places to 19th, entering the top 20. Uruguay, on the other hand, fell four places to 20th. For Senegal, this decline in the rankings serves as a warning ahead of upcoming continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.