Candidates for the role of United Nations Secretary-General outlined their priorities during a UN Town Hall in New York, with discussions focusing on the organisation’s role in resolving conflicts, reforming its institutions and responding to emerging global challenges.
Responding to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, candidates said the next Secretary-General should pursue dialogue, mediation and impartial diplomacy to help ease tensions, even if the UN Security Council remains deadlocked. Several argued the UN can continue facilitating negotiations, maintaining humanitarian engagement and addressing the wider impacts of regional conflicts on global trade, energy markets and food security.
Candidates also acknowledged that the United Nations faces growing questions over its effectiveness amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical divisions. Several said restoring trust in the organisation would require a more agile, accountable and impartial UN, capable of engaging all parties, strengthening multilateral cooperation and delivering practical results in peace, development and human rights.
The debate also centred on restoring confidence in the UN through institutional reform, impartial diplomacy and stronger multilateral cooperation as the organisation prepares to appoint António Guterres’ successor at the end of 2026.
ℹ️ Al Jazeera, UN Web TV
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