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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Three Women Vie to Become UN's First Female Secretary-General at Geneva Debate

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Three women are running to become the UN's first female Secretary-General, advocating for a woman to lead the organization.
  • Michelle Bachelet, Rebeca Grynspan, and Maria Fernanda Espinosa highlighted their diplomatic experience during a debate in Geneva.
  • The UN Security Council will begin deliberations in late July, with a General Assembly vote to follow, as the UN faces funding shortages and declining faith in multilateralism.

Three women are vying to become the United Nations' first female Secretary-General, each arguing it is "about time" a woman led the global body. Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador presented their credentials during a debate organized by independent groups in Geneva.

I think, of course, a woman – it’s about time, isn’t it? After 80 years

— Maria Fernanda EspinosaEspinosa commented on the timing of a woman leading the UN.

Espinosa, a former foreign minister, stated that the next leader should be "the best woman, not any woman," emphasizing the need for a "leader with a lot of energy." Bachelet, a former Chilean president and UN human rights chief, expressed her willingness to take risks and speak up when necessary. Grynspan, head of the UN trade and development agency UNCTAD, asserted she is running because she believes she is the best person for the job and called for a fair selection process.

But the next secretary-general should be “the best woman, not any woman”, a “leader with a lot of energy”.

— Maria Fernanda EspinosaEspinosa outlined her vision for the ideal candidate.

The candidates addressed the UN's challenges, including funding shortfalls, ongoing conflicts, and a decline in faith in multilateralism. The UN Security Council, where the five permanent members hold veto power, is expected to begin its deliberations in late July. The General Assembly will then vote in the subsequent months. The debate took place at the Maison de la Paix, near the UN Palais des Nations.

Women can bring more humanism

— Michelle BacheletBachelet suggested a unique contribution women could make to the role.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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