One of the candidates vying to become the next United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has called for a renewed focus on trust, strategic discipline, and greater gender equality as she strives to become the first female to hold the coveted position.
Rebeca Grynspan, an economist and the former vice president of Costa Rica, is one of five candidates who have formally announced they are seeking the top job. She was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in September 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its 60-year history.
In a recent interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) in London, Grynspan said that the UN must adapt to address the problems in an increasingly divided world, stressing that countries should recommit to working together through shared international institutions as no single country can solve global challenges alone.
"This is a complex world. We are in a crossroad. First of all, I always say multipolarity is not a choice, it's a fact. We are in a multipolar world. What is a choice is multilateralism. We have to agree again that having international institutions that will be able to solve problems that no one of us can solve alone is the right way to go," said Grynspan.
Asked how she would address the issue of declining trust in the UN, Grynspan said the solution lies in deeper engagement and creating more space for dialogue. She stressed that she would stand by her word, act transparently, and remain independent and impartial.
On the subject of UN reform, Grynspan advocated a more strategic approach. She proposes that the UN focus on areas where it offers unique value, while partnering with others on tasks they can perform more effectively.
"So what I believe is that the UN has to be more strategic with less. Refocus, do the things where the UN is unique and partner with others in the things that others can do. In peace and security, I think that the Secretary General has to have a group in the office of the Secretary General, and that will be necessary for preventive diplomacy and mediation. In development, I think that there is duplication and unhealthy competition within many parts of the UN, and there, I think that we need more discipline," she said.
Grynspan also believes that it is time that the UN’s 80-year history without a female Secretary-General should change, but believes that she and her fellow female candidates only seek equal treatment and a fair platform.
"I say in a kind of joking way that it's not because of the law of probabilities that we haven't had a female secretary general during 80 years. What I really think is that we, female candidates, we don't need special treatment. We have experience, we have a CV, we have a curriculum, we have a professional life to put in front of everybody. What we really ask is for equal treatment. If equal treatment will be guaranteed, I am sure this will be a good time for a female secretary general," she said.
The incumbent UN chief Antonio Guterres will conclude his second five-year term at the end of this year.
Candidate for next UN Secretary General calls for rebuilding trust, greater gender equality
