Ugandan diplomat Otunnu has entered the competition to become the next head of the United Nations
Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has entered the race to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, making him the seventh candidate vying to succeed Antonio Guterres when he concludes his term at the end of this year.
Otunnu, a former U.N. under-secretary-general who held the position of special representative for children and armed conflict, was nominated by Uganda in a letter on Friday addressed to the presidents of the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council.
At 75, he stands as the eldest among the current candidates for the position, which Guterres has occupied for two consecutive five-year terms.
Guterres’ successor is tasked with revitalizing an organization in crisis and declining stature, facing mounting pressure to reform a bloated, costly bureaucracy and eliminate duplication across its numerous agencies.
In his vision statement, Otunnu emphasized the importance of ongoing institutional reforms and indicated that he would prioritize efforts to help resolve significant international conflicts. He also committed to creating an organization to supervise U.N. efforts on AI and emphasized the necessity for climate change initiatives that do not compromise economic development.
Seven candidates are now competing in the race.
The other candidates include Rafael Grossi from Argentina, who serves as the director-general of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency; former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet; Rebeca Grynspan, a former vice president of Costa Rica; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, who has held the position of foreign affairs and defense minister of Ecuador; Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, a former foreign minister of Guyana; and Macky Sall, a former president of Senegal.
The selection process is set to commence this week with straw polls in the 15-nation Security Council intended to narrow down the candidates. Other candidates may still enter the race.
Diplomats indicate that there is no clear frontrunner, although there is a prevailing sentiment that it is Latin America’s opportunity to supply the U.N. leader, along with support for appointing the first woman to the position.
Experts indicate that the crucial factor for success will be to prevent a veto from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council, especially China, Russia, or the United States.
