UN could be led by a woman for the first time – candidate is former president of Chile

Chile announced on Tuesday that it will nominate its former president Michelle Bachelet for the position of United Nations secretary-general. The term of current UN chief António Guterres ends in 2026, France 24 reported, citing AFP.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric told the UN General Assembly that 73-year-old Bachelet was the “perfect choice.” He emphasized her political experience, resilience, and values, which he said were in line with the UN's mission.

Bachelet, a pediatrician by profession, has been Chile's only female president to date. She has led the country twice – from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018.

She has also held important positions within the United Nations at the international level: she was Executive Director of the women's organization UN Women and later High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Her candidacy is also significant from a regional perspective. Latin America has only had one Secretary-General to date – Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru, who served from 1982 to 1991. If Bachelet is elected, the UN would also be led by a woman for the first time in its history.

(max)