Women candidates debate UN leadership in Geneva

Three women—former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Costa Rica’s former vice‑president Rebeca Grynspan and Ecuadorian ex‑foreign minister María Fernanda Espinosa—participated in a debate in Geneva on Tuesday, outlining their visions for the next United Nations secretary‑general. All stressed the need for reforms to make the organization more agile, efficient and accountable, and pledged to act as independent, on‑the‑ground mediators in conflicts, upholding international law. Bachelet highlighted her experience as former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and promised a "dialogue‑based" approach. Grynspan warned that peace is under threat and called for renewed confidence in the UN, while Espinosa argued that a woman should lead the body for the first time in its 80‑year history. The candidates discussed funding shortfalls, multiple ongoing conflicts and a decline in multilateral trust, seeking support from member states across Latin America and beyond.