Examination of Candidates for the Position of United Nations Secretary-General

Apr 26, 2026, 04:32

Introduction

Four individuals have undergone a series of interrogations by United Nations ambassadors to determine a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on January 1.

Main Body

The candidates—Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Macky Sall of Senegal—addressed the core mandates of peace, development, and human rights. Each candidate expressed a commitment to institutional reform and the restoration of international security, noting the organization's current inability to resolve conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Iran due to systemic divisions. Individual strategic priorities varied among the nominees. Michelle Bachelet emphasized the necessity of proactive dialogue and a physical presence in conflict zones. Rafael Grossi highlighted the need for effective leadership to counter global polarization and institutional skepticism. Rebeca Grynspan advocated for a departure from risk-averse organizational behavior, while Macky Sall positioned himself as a mediator intended to reduce international fragmentation. Several candidates faced specific political or procedural challenges. Bachelet addressed a communication from 28 U.S. Republican lawmakers regarding her views on reproductive rights, asserting her commitment to gender equality and national sovereignty. Sall, the only candidate from outside Latin America, argued that the UN Charter permits any candidate and suggested that the leadership should transition to the global south. Additionally, Sall has denied allegations of corruption that coincided with demonstrations at UN headquarters. Analytical perspectives on the process suggest varying interpretations of the candidates' performances. Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group noted that it remains unclear if any candidate has established a definitive lead. Minh-Thu Pham of the Starling Institute observed a systemic demand for a leader capable of taking operational risks to facilitate peace. Furthermore, the advocacy group GWL Voices, led by Susana Malcorra, has formally campaigned for the appointment of a female secretary-general.

Conclusion

The final selection remains contingent upon the decision of the UN Security Council, specifically the five permanent members with veto power, followed by the formal approval of the General Assembly.

Vocabulary Learning

contingent (adj.)
dependent / occurring or existing only if certain circumstances are the case視乎……而定；取決於
Example:The success of the peace talks is contingent upon both parties agreeing to a permanent ceasefire.
mandate (n.)
authorization / an official order or commission to do something授權；職權
Example:The committee was given a clear mandate to reform the organization's financial structure.
polarization (n.)
division / the divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes兩極化
Example:The increasing polarization of the electorate has made it difficult for the government to pass bipartisan legislation.
risk-averse (adj.)
cautious / disinclined or reluctant to take risks厭惡風險的；規避風險的
Example:Investors became increasingly risk-averse following the sudden collapse of the global stock market.
systemic (adj.)
structural / relating to a system as a whole, rather than just some of its parts系統性的；制度性的
Example:The failure was not due to individual error but to systemic flaws within the regulatory framework.

Sentence Learning

Each candidate expressed a commitment to institutional reform and the restoration of international security, noting the organization's current inability to resolve conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Iran due to systemic divisions.
Present Participle Clause: The participle 'noting' functions as a supplementary adjunct, providing additional context or a simultaneous action to the main verb 'expressed'.現在分詞短句: 分詞 'noting' 作為補充狀語，為主要動詞 'expressed' 提供額外背景或描述同時發生的動作。
Rebeca Grynspan advocated for a departure from risk-averse organizational behavior, while Macky Sall positioned himself as a mediator intended to reduce international fragmentation.
Reduced Relative Clause: 'Intended' is a past participle forming a reduced relative clause (which was intended), concisely modifying 'mediator' to express purpose.緊縮關係從句: 'Intended' 是過去分詞，形成緊縮關係從句（原為 which was intended），簡潔地修飾 'mediator' 以表達目的。
Sall, the only candidate from outside Latin America, argued that the UN Charter permits any candidate and suggested that the leadership should transition to the global south.
Parallel Noun Clauses: The use of parallel 'that' clauses as direct objects of 'argued' and 'suggested' maintains structural balance while conveying multiple complex arguments.平行名詞從句: 使用平行的 'that' 從句作為 'argued' 和 'suggested' 的直接賓語，在傳達多個複雜論點時保持結構平衡。
The final selection remains contingent upon the decision of the UN Security Council, specifically the five permanent members with veto power, followed by the formal approval of the General Assembly.
Post-positive Participial Phrase: The phrase 'followed by...' acts as a non-finite clause modifying 'decision', effectively detailing a sequential administrative process.後置分詞短語: 短語 'followed by...' 作為修飾 'decision' 的非限定從句，有效地詳述了行政程序的先後順序。
Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group noted that it remains unclear if any candidate has established a definitive lead.
Expletive 'It' Construction: The 'it' acts as a dummy subject, allowing the true clausal subject (the 'if' clause) to be postponed for rhetorical emphasis on the uncertainty.虛主詞 'It' 結構: 'it' 作為形式主詞，容許真正的從句主詞（'if' 從句）後移，以在修辭上強調不確定性。