Ugandan Diplomat Otunnu Joins Race for UN Top Job

Uganda has nominated former senior UN official Olaru Otunnu for the position of the next UN secretary-general. He has become the seventh candidate vying to succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends at the end of the year.

Otunnu, 75, previously served as under-secretary-general of the UN and special representative for children and armed conflict. In his platform, he emphasizes continuing institutional reforms, working to end major international conflicts, the creation of a body to oversee the use of artificial intelligence at the UN, and support for measures against climate change without hindering economic development.

Also vying for the position are Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.

The selection process will move to the next phase this week with informal votes in the 15-member UN Security Council. The candidates' success will also depend on whether they can avoid a veto by any of the five permanent members of the council.

(Reuters, sab)