IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi announces candidacy for UN Secretary-General

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has announced his candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General.
The term of the current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, ends on December 31, 2026.
The UN Security Council must nominate a candidate for Secretary-General before that date, with the appointed individual set to assume office on January 1, 2027.
“The UN is now in a difficult situation. I believe it is possible to make the UN relevant. If you say that you are concerned about the increasing number of conflicts and the rise of violence, it is somewhat hypocritical to focus on other things,” Grossi said in an interview with AFP, as reported by Armenpress.
He noted that everyone acknowledges the UN is no longer fully fulfilling its mandate to maintain peace worldwide. Grossi emphasized that his experience as head of the IAEA will assist him if he is elected to the UN post.
Grossi also stated that he aims to engage in dialogue with all parties and act as a mediator acceptable to everyone. “So yes, I will be a candidate for these reasons,” he said.
He added that he hopes to receive as much support as possible.