New Delhi, August 21: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has held discussions with two candidates for the position of the next UN Secretary-General.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, during the talks on Wednesday, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, nominated by his country, emphasized the need to prioritize the prevention of dangerous conflicts that could engulf entire regions and the world.
Otunnu pledged to work towards resolving the Ukraine crisis, addressing the Gaza situation, supporting peace agreements between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, collaborating with the African Union and other global partners to end the conflict in Sudan, and enhancing counter-terrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa and Sahel.
He also committed to fostering a consensus on human rights, reforming the UN, alleviating financial crises, exploring new funding avenues for the UN, leveraging opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, enhancing cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, and reconnecting the global populace with the UN.
In Thursday’s discussions, Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki expressed her desire to be a leader rather than just a manager if elected as the next UN Secretary-General.
Nominated by Tonga, A-Baki stated, “A manager follows a mission statement, while a leader follows the ‘North Star.’ My ‘North Star’ for this global institution is not solely reform; it is renewal. It is a renewal of the promise to create peace and prevent war, to promote human dignity and social progress, and to renew the vision that the UN can be the institution where countries achieve much more together than alone.”
She also promised to address direct and assigned peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks, modernize the Security Council, resolve debt related to development, open financial pathways, and protect human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
The UNGA began its sessions with candidates for the next Secretary-General at the end of April. Other six candidates have also participated in these discussions.
Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ term is set to conclude at the end of this year. The next Secretary-General will assume office on January 1, 2027.
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