United Nations to hold final interactive dialogue for Secretary-General selection on August 19

This session is part of the selection process for the tenth UN Secretary-General, who will succeed António Guterres starting January 1, 2027, after his ten years and two terms leading the Organization. Organized by the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, these three-hour question-and-answer sessions involve candidates presenting a brief opening statement before responding to questions from member states and civil society representatives regarding their leadership qualities and vision for the Organization. Six candidates—Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana; María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, former Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Michelle Bachelet; Rafael Grossi; Rebeca Grynspan; and Macky Sall—have already participated in this exercise between April and June.

The August 19 dialogue is expected to feature the seventh and final candidate, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, whose candidacy was submitted on Saturday, July 25, as the UN does not set a deadline for applications. This deadline comes amid an unusually discreet campaign for such a strategic position. According to AFP, days before the official launch of the process, the six candidates debated before the General Assembly without a clear favorite emerging, even as the Organization navigates a period of multiple crises, particularly in t