UN Security Council concludes informal dialogues with three candidates for UN Secretary-General
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has concluded informal dialogues with three candidates competing to become the next UN Secretary-General, with another candidate scheduled to undergo a similar process later this month.
UNSC President for July and Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the UN, Zenon Ngay Mukongo, said Security Council members met this week with former Senegalese President Macky Sall, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, and former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
“Security Council members held an informal dialogue on 7 July 2026 with Macky Sall as the candidate put forward by the Republic of Burundi for the position of UN Secretary-General,” Mukongo said in Washington DC on Friday.
He explained that the UNSC also held a dialogue with Grossi on 7 July after his candidacy was submitted by Argentina, and with Rodrigues-Birkett on 9 July after she was nominated by Guyana.
“In the dialogue with each candidate, they presented their views on the challenges and opportunities facing the UN,” he said. “This was followed by an interactive exchange of views with Security Council members.”
Mukongo said the Security Council would continue the selection process in accordance with Article 97 of the UN Charter and the guidelines set out in a joint letter from the President of the UN General Assembly and the President of the Security Council dated 25 November 2025.
“The Security Council plans to submit its recommendation to the General Assembly in a timely manner so that the appointment by the General Assembly provides sufficient time for the Secretary-General-elect to prepare before taking office,” he said.
When asked about the proceedings, Mukongo explained that Security Council members posed numerous questions covering a range of global challenges facing the UN.
“There were many questions. Each Security Council member asked one or two clarifying questions regarding the various challenges facing the UN,” he said.
Mukongo declined to disclose the detailed content of the discussions but said the candidates explained the approaches they would take in addressing various international issues if elected.
“The candidates conveyed how they plan to tackle these difficult challenges, so we gained a picture of what each candidate intends to do if elected Secretary-General,” he said.
Mukongo also confirmed that one candidate has yet to participate in the dialogue.
“There is still one candidate who has not been here, and I believe the dialogue will take place on the 27th,” he said, referring to Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces.
The successor to incumbent UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will serve a five-year term beginning on 1 January 2027.
In accordance with Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the UN Security Council.