News of candidate

A woman in charge of the UN? Candidates feel it's about time

09-06-2026 21:03 Female challengers to be the next UN secretary-general outline why they think a woman should be next to lead the multilateral organisation.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

'Save humanity': A look at the four figures battling it out to lead the United Nations

20-04-2026 06:51 Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan and Senegal's Macky Sall will each face grillings by 193 member states and NGOs this week as the race to become UN secretary-general heats up.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

Argentine diplomat Virginia Gamba removed from UN secretary-general race

26-03-2026 17:48 Argentine diplomat Virginia Gamba removed from list of candidates for UN secretary-general after Maldives withdraws backing for her candidacy; Boost for fellow Argentine Rafael Grossi; Days ago, Chile pulled support for ex-president Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

New Chile President Kast withdraws support for Bachelet's UN chief bid

24-03-2026 20:41 New hard-right President Jose Antonio Kast says promoting Michelle Bachelet's candidacy would entail "a significant cost" for Chile and pulls backing.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Rafael Grossi: ‘The UN is moving into irrelevance, but it need not be so’

10-01-2026 06:59 Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is one of the leading candidates to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In an exclusive interview, the Argentine diplomat discusses the UN’s top job, his vision for it and career to date.

by James Grainger

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

Grossi lays out bold reformist vision for troubled UN

24-12-2025 00:55 Experienced diplomat Rafael Grossi calls for reshaping of global body; Argentina’s government, CARI foreign policy think tank throw backing behind his candidacy for top job; “We need a secretary-general who puts on their boots and goes where the problem is,” says IAEA chief.

by James Grainger

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

World is 'ready' for a woman at helm of UN, says Chile's Bachelet

23-12-2025 17:24 "The world is ready" for a woman to take the helm of the United Nations for the first time, says Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and candidate to head the multilateral organisation.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

Rafael Mariano Grossi: Renewing the promise – a United Nations that works

27-11-2025 00:03 "The world still needs the United Nations – but it must be a United Nations that works," says Rafael Mariano Grossi, candidate for Secretary-General of the top international body, in his vision statement, to which the Times gained access.

UNITED NATIONS

Argentina formally backs Rafael Grossi’s candidacy for UN secretary-general

26-11-2025 23:50 President Javier Milei’s government puts forward the IAEA chief as a contender to succeed António Guterres in 2027, betting his technical profile, experience with global crises and diplomatic backing will win out in a pivotal year for the United Nations.

POLITICS: ELECTION 2025

Top Milei candidate says Peronist voters have ‘a mental illness’

17-10-2025 09:19 Ex-model and TV presenter Karen Reichardt, one of La Libertad Avanza’s top candidates for deputy, sparks outrage as she suggests voting for Kirchnerismo in Buenos Aires Province amounts to having a “mental illness.”

ELECTIONS 2025

Milei chooses ‘corrupt TikTok candidate’ to replace Espert

06-10-2025 22:48 José Luis Espert’s resignation promotes ex-PRO deputy Diego Santilli to the top La Libertad Avanza candidate in Buenos Aires Province – but President Javier Milei hasn’t always been a fan…

MULTILATERALISM

UN atomic boss achieves gender parity – just don’t call it DEI

11-06-2025 17:52 Argentine diplomat Rafael Mariano Grossi, a top candidate to become the next United Nations secretary general, has achieved gender parity at the International Atomic Energy Agency in record time.

PROFILE

Edmundo González Urrutia: from placeholder to opposition pointman

10-09-2024 09:40 Edmundo González Urrutia is a soft-spoken grandfather who spurns the spotlight. But Venezuela's political crisis has thrust him into the crosshairs of Nicolás Maduro's iron-fisted regime.