Race for UN chief seat: IAEA head maintains optimism over his candidacy

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said he remains optimistic about his chances of becoming the next UN secretary-general, despite not knowing where individual countries stand on his candidacy.

“I remain very optimistic,” he told reporters at a press conference in Vienna when asked about his campaign to lead the world body, Caliber.Az reports.

Grossi noted that the selection process is ongoing and involves a “special” procedure in which “countries go through approximation.” He said another informal poll of countries on the candidates is expected in the coming weeks. “Obviously, no countries do not say uh how they are uh they are voting,” he added.

This year’s candidates for UN secretary-general include Grossi of Argentina; UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica; former Chilean President and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet; former Senegalese President Macky Sall; former Ecuadorian foreign and defence minister María Fernanda Espinosa; Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; former Ecuadorian ambassador to the United States and France Ivonne Baki; and former UN Under-Secretary-General Olara Otunnu of Uganda.

According to the results of the second informal poll of candidates held on August 21, obtained by TASS, Rodrigues-Birkett received the strongest support from members of the UN Security Council.

By Jeyhun Aghazada