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For the first time in its 80-year history, the United Nations (UN) may be led by a woman, according to the three female candidates competing to succeed outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador presented their cases at a debate in Geneva on Tuesday, highlighting their diplomatic experience and visions for the UN’s future.
Espinosa, a former foreign minister and past president of the UN General Assembly, said, “I think, of course, a woman, it’s about time, isn’t it?” She stressed that the next secretary-general should be “the best woman, not any woman,” describing the ideal leader as energetic and committed to reform.
Bachelet, 74, Chile’s former president and ex-UN rights chief, echoed this sentiment, arguing that “women can bring more humanism” to the organisation. She emphasised her independence and readiness to take calculated risks, noting, “I’m not afraid of speaking up when it’s needed.”
Grynspan, 70, who heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development, emphasised merit over gender, stating she is running “because I think I am the best person for the job” and called for a selection process free from preferential treatment for women.
The debate also addressed the UN’s current challenges, including funding shortfalls, conflicts, and declining faith in multilateralism.
Espinosa highlighted that “the UN is not the only game in town,” but remains “irreplaceable because it’s the only universal platform that brings all countries together.”
Bachelet added she would be “an independent secretary-general, always on the ground,” while Grynspan noted the organisation faces a “culture problem” that requires strategic partnerships.
The UN Secretary-General is elected by the General Assembly following Security Council recommendations, with deliberations expected to begin in July. Candidates also include Rafael Grossi of Argentina and former Senegalese president Macky Sall.
