The candidates former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina, UN trade and development head Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and former Senegalese president Macky Sall are set to participate in hours-long hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday in a process aimed at increasing transparency in the selection of the UN’s top official.

The public dialogues, introduced in 2016, allow member states and non-governmental organizations to question candidates directly. However, the final decision will rest with the 15-member UN Security Council, where the five permanent members the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France hold veto power.

The selection comes at a time when the United Nations faces significant operational strain, including what officials describe as a severe budget shortfall linked to delayed or withheld contributions, particularly from the United States. Washington’s envoy to the UN has indicated that the next secretary-general must align with U.S. priorities, underscoring the geopolitical stakes involved in the appointment.

Bachelet, 74, brings decades of political and diplomatic experience, having served as Chile’s first female president and later as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her tenure at the rights body drew criticism from some member states, including China, following reports addressing alleged abuses against Uyghur populations.

Grossi, 65, has led the IAEA since 2019 and has played a central role in navigating nuclear-related tensions involving Iran and the conflict in Ukraine, including concerns surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. His candidacy places him under scrutiny from both Western powers and Russia, reflecting the sensitivity of his portfolio.

Grynspan, 70, currently heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development and has been credited with facilitating the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled grain exports amid the Ukraine conflict.

She has emphasized multilateral cooperation and her personal background as the daughter of Holocaust survivors in articulating her commitment to the UN Charter.Sall, 64, stands as the only candidate outside Latin America, a region many member states argue should produce the next secretary-general under informal rotation practices.

His candidacy has faced resistance within Africa, including from segments of the African Union, and criticism related to his handling of political unrest during his presidency.All four candidates have pledged to restore confidence in the United Nations and address divisions among member states, as conflicts and economic pressures test the institution’s capacity to respond effectively.

The hearings are expected to shape diplomatic negotiations in the coming months as Security Council members weigh competing priorities before recommending a candidate to the General Assembly.

Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said Bamako considers Morocco’s proposal granting autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the conflict.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco, remains Africa’s only territory with an unresolved post-colonial status.

The region is also claimed by the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence and advocates for a United Nations-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.Mali’s decision comes amid worsening diplomatic ties with Algeria, a key backer of the Polisario Front.

The move is likely to deepen regional tensions, as Algeria and Morocco have long been at odds over the future of the territory.Rabat has promoted its autonomy initiative as a pragmatic solution, while the Polisario Front insists on implementing a 1991 agreement that provides for a referendum on independence under UN oversight.

The geopolitical context has shifted in recent months. In October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan, signaling growing international backing for Rabat’s position.

The disputed territory is rich in natural resources, including phosphates, and its surrounding waters are considered among the most productive fishing zones in the region, adding economic significance to the political conflict.