Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has withdrawn her candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the organization.
Bachelet said in a video message that she had decided not to pursue the position, adding that she did not regret taking on the challenge despite doubts about the timing of the candidacy.
With Bachelet stepping down, the race to succeed Antonio Guterres continues. According to Reuters, in the latest unofficial Security Council vote, Rebecca Greenspan, the former vice president of Costa Rica, came in first, followed by Caroline Rodriguez Birkett, the representative of Guyana to the United Nations.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is also a candidate in the race; Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ term ends at the end of 2026.
No woman has ever been appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations in its more than 80-year history; the selection of a new Secretary-General ultimately requires the agreement of the permanent members of the Security Council and then the approval of the UN General Assembly.
