4 UN Chief Candidates Face Scrutiny as Wars Expose $1.5 Billion Funding Gap
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · May 10
4 UN Chief Candidates Face Scrutiny as Wars Expose $1.5 Billion Funding Gap
2 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · May 10
Four candidates for U.N. secretary-general — Michelle Bachelet, Rebeca Grynspan, Rafael Grossi and Macky Sall — were questioned by the 193-member General Assembly as the body weighs who can restore the U.N.’s peacemaking role.
Peacekeeping and peacebuilding dominated the review because the U.N. has been widely seen as paralyzed in conflicts including Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Iran and Lebanon, with mediating roles increasingly filled by states such as Qatar and Pakistan or Trump-linked envoys.
Rebeca Grynspan entered with a notable diplomatic credential from the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, while Bachelet proposed lighter, politically tailored missions; Grossi focused more on funding, and Sall is seen as weakened by lacking African Union backing.
More than $1.5 billion in unpaid U.S. dues hangs over the race, limiting the organization’s capacity even as experts argue the next chief must take greater risks with major powers and revive U.N. credibility.
Five permanent Security Council members will largely decide the winner for the 2027-2031 term, underscoring how the same veto structure blamed for today’s deadlock will shape the choice of the next U.N. leader.
Is the UN’s peacemaking role permanently broken, or can a new leader revive it against superpower opposition?
With business interests now brokering peace, how can global stability be ensured over private profit?
The UN’s $1.5 Billion Deficit and 2026 Secretary-General Race: Can Multilateralism Survive?
Overview
In mid-2026, the United Nations is at a critical turning point, facing the dual challenge of selecting its next Secretary-General and managing a severe $1.5 billion funding gap. As the Security Council actively deliberates on the new leader, the organization is under intense leadership transition and unprecedented financial pressure. These fiscal strains threaten the UN’s ability to operate and deliver humanitarian aid worldwide. The outcome of the Secretary-General election, set to take effect in January 2027, will be crucial for guiding the UN through this period of crisis and shaping its future direction.