Bloomberg: IAEA chief seeks Trump’s backing for UN secretary-general bid

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is seeking support from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump in his bid to become the next UN Secretary-General, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

More than 10 senior IAEA officials and Western diplomats told Bloomberg that Grossi’s strategy is built on backing from the U.S. and its allies.

According to Bloomberg, Grossi visited Washington in August, in part to inform American leadership of his intention to run for the UN’s top post.

In an interview with the agency, Grossi rejected suggestions that he is a “U.S. candidate.”

He noted that he has also discussed his candidacy with representatives of the EU, India, Japan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

“What I need is the support of everybody,” Grossi said in an interview at the UN.

By Khagan Isayev