Grossi hopes for swift decision on next UN Secretary-General

UN Headquarters, New York (ANTARA) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Gross_Grossi told RIA Novosti that he hopes a decision regarding the next UN Secretary-General candidate can be reached relatively quickly, although he believes the election process has not yet become protracted.

“I assess that this process—at least up to this point—has not been drawn out. We hope that the results can be obtained relatively quickly,” said Grossi.

He added that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, who hold veto power, bear special responsibility in the election process. Meanwhile, the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council, representing a broader range of regions, are also participating in the process.

Grossi noted that it is difficult to assess the progress of consultations because the process is conducted behind closed doors.

“If you recall the previous process, the timing was around this period, early autumn, October. Therefore, we hope this process will not continue for much longer,” he added.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan has received the most support in the fourth unofficial poll, according to a source speaking to RIA Novosti. The results of this poll were also reported by several diplomatic sources and media outlets following the process.

There are currently seven candidates for the highest position within the UN system. In addition to Grynspan and Grossi, other candidates include former President of Senegal Macky Sall, former Foreign Minister of Ecuador Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki, former Foreign Minister of Uganda Olara Otunnu, and former Foreign Minister of Guyana Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

The second and final term of the current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will end on 31 December 2026.