Candidates vying to become the tenth United Nations Secretary-General are preparing to address an international audience during a high-profile town hall event scheduled for July 23.
The upcoming session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York marks a significant turn towards greater transparency and public scrutiny as the organisation seeks a successor to Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31.
According to the UN, the town hall is convened by the President of the General Assembly.
Public Debate
Held in the iconic General Assembly Hall, the event will group contenders together on stage to foster dynamic debate and direct comparisons between their leadership visions for the world body.
Civil society organisations and non-governmental representatives registered ahead to secure in-person attendance and submit questions for the candidates.
To ensure global access, the entire proceeding will be broadcast live worldwide via UN Web TV.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Thailand, Cambodia seek international experts to settle maritime issues
Six official candidates
Six official candidates have been formally nominated by member states to run for the top UN position:
Michelle Bachelet, nominated by Brazil and Mexico, the former president of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Rafael Grossi, nominated by Argentina, is the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Rebeca Grynspan, nominated by Costa Rica, is the Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and former Vice President of Costa Rica.
Macky Sall, nominated by Burundi, is the former President of Senegal and former Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
María Fernanda Espinosa, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda, is the former president of the 73rd UN General Assembly and former foreign minister of Ecuador.
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, nominated by Guyana, is the permanent representative of Guyana to the UN and former foreign minister of Guyana.
With these prominent figures presenting their mandates, the upcoming town hall provides a crucial public platform before the UN Security Council begins its formal straw polls and recommendation process later this year.
Internal participation for UN staff
The town hall extends direct engagement to internal staff within the international organisation.
UN staff members were invited to register to attend the session in person and submit questions regarding internal workplace reforms, organisational leadership and accountability.
This initiative underscores a renewed commitment to fostering an inclusive organisational culture.
By bridging the gap between leadership candidates and the workforce, the UN aims to directly address long-standing calls for greater transparency and staff-led reform.
READ NEXT: Germany cracks down on money laundering and tax fraud
KC Maderia 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Diana Mae Y. Cleto