The UN General Assembly (UNGA) convened its 5th interactive dialogue with a candidate for the position of next UN secretary-General.
During the dialogue, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former UNGA president and former foreign minister and defence minister of Ecuador, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda in May, presented her vision statement and answered questions from UN member states and civil society representatives.
In April this year, the UNGA conducted a 2-day interactive dialogue with four candidates for the next UN chief- including Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean president and former UN high commissioner for human rights, nominated by Brazil and Mexico; Rafael Grossi, current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, nominated by Argentina.
Macky Sall, former president of Senegal, nominated by Burundi; and Rebeca Grynspan, economist and former vice president of Costa Rica, nominated by Costa Rica.
The term of Antonio Guterres, the current and 9th secretary-general of the United Nations, will expire at the end of this year. The next UN secretary-general will take over the role on 1st of January 1 next year.