Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General will participate in a televised debate on Thursday at the historic General Assembly Hall, one week before the formal selection process begins to choose a successor to outgoing Secretary-General António Guterres. The 90-minute event, broadcast by Bloomberg, will feature questions from diplomats, UN staff, and civil society representatives. The candidates include Michelle Bachelet of Chile, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the debate offers a rare opportunity to understand the candidates’ priorities and leadership visions for one of the world’s most important positions. The UN currently faces financial and credibility challenges, with the United States urging a focus on peace and security, while many other nations emphasize human rights and development as equally vital pillars.

The Security Council will hold its first secret ballot on July 30 to rank the candidates. The new Secretary-General is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027.