Five Candidates for Next UN Secretary-General Meet at Jeju Forum

Five candidates to lead the United Nations gathered on Jeju Island on June 25 for a session at the 21st Jeju Forum. The participants were Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the U.N. ; Macky Sall, former Senegalese president; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's former foreign minister.

The session, titled "Reimagining Multilateralism," focused on making the institution more visible amid financial strain. Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the group that the position demands immense responsibility, patience and at times a profound sense of solitude.

He added that the U.N. is in the grip of a serious financial crisis with its credibility under strain and that whoever is elected will inherit an institution facing historic challenges. Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean president and former U.N.

High Commissioner for Human Rights, sent a video message stating that much of what is called inevitable conflict is actually preventable.N. is experiencing the biggest implementation gap in its history and vowed to be impartial only to the charter and to international law if elected.

Rafael Grossi stated that the U.N. will continue to be the only truly global platform. Rebeca Grynspan said the organization should open the doors for young people to be part of the staff, part of the innovation, part of what is done every day.

The U.N. Security Council will hold closed-door deliberations before the General Assembly formalizes the appointment later this year. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' current term ends on Dec. 31.