Candidates seeking to become the next United Nations Secretary-General gathered in New York on Thursday for a public forum to present their visions to UN member states and civil society, with former Senegalese President Macky Sall among those participating.
The event, titled “UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General,” was held in the UN General Assembly Hall and provided candidates with an opportunity to outline their priorities for the organization while engaging directly with diplomats, stakeholders and the public. Organised by the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly, the forum forms part of efforts to make the selection process more transparent and inclusive.
The selection process was officially launched in November 2025 and is governed by Article 97 of the UN Charter and General Assembly procedures requiring candidates to submit vision statements, curricula vitae and campaign financing details. Following the public engagements, the UN Security Council will consider the candidates before recommending one nominee to the General Assembly, which will make the final appointment.
Macky Sall’s candidacy recently received the official backing of the Senegalese government after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye pledged the country’s full support and directed Senegal’s diplomatic network to campaign on his behalf. Sall has since intensified consultations with world leaders, including visits to Banjul, Beijing, Athens and the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Six candidates are officially contesting the position: Macky Sall, Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, María Fernanda Espinosa and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. The successful candidate will assume office on January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
