The campaign for the next United Nations Secretary-General has gained significant momentum with the formal nomination of two additional high-profile candidates. Official documents published on the website of the UN General Assembly President confirmed the new entrants to what is becoming a competitive international leadership contest.
Burundi, representing the African Union in its current chair capacity, has nominated Macky Sall, the former President of Senegal. Simultaneously, Costa Rica has presented Rebeca Grynspan, an accomplished economist and former Vice President of the Central American nation, as its candidate for the prestigious position.
These nominations expand the field to four declared candidates seeking to succeed the current Secretary-General. The previously announced contenders include Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile nominated jointly by Chile, Brazil and Mexico, and Rafael Grossi, the sitting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who received Argentina’s endorsement.
In a significant development, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock has circulated a detailed communication to member states outlining the procedural framework for candidate assessments. The interactive dialogues with aspiring candidates are scheduled for the week of April 20, 2026, according to the official correspondence.
The evaluation process will be structured around the three foundational pillars of the United Nations: international peace and security, human rights protection, and sustainable development. Each candidate will present their strategic vision for the organization’s future direction, followed by an extensive question-and-answer session with representatives from member states.
The presidential letter additionally established a firm nomination deadline, requiring all candidacies to be formally submitted before the interactive dialogues commence, with April 1, 2026 serving as the absolute cutoff for eligibility participation in the evaluation process.