During an informal dialogue with United Nations member states and civil‑society representatives on August 19, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu emphasized the urgent need for continued reform of the world body. Otunnu, a former UN under‑secretary‑general who served as the special representative for children and armed conflict, is one of eight candidates seeking to succeed Antonio Guterres as secretary‑general next year.
Faith‑inspired call for moral authority
Opening his remarks, Otunnu invoked St. Francis of Assisi, quoting the saint’s well‑known prayer: “Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.” He framed the prayer as a guide for the UN to bridge growing global divisions and restore its moral authority.
Reform as an imperative, not an option
Otunnu stressed that reform is no longer optional. “Reform is no longer an optional choice. It is an imperative. Without it, the institution is at grave risk. We cannot continue to do business as usual,” he said. The candidate’s message aligns with broader criticism that the UN has become a bloated, costly bureaucracy with duplicated efforts across its agencies.
Candidate field and selection process
At 75, Otunnu is the oldest of the candidates. Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki, also 75, entered the race on Tuesday. Other contenders include former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues‑Birkett, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi (head of the UN nuclear watchdog), former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.
The current chair of the 15‑member UN Security Council, Denmark, plans a second informal poll among council members on Friday. A first straw poll at the end of July showed Grynspan as a narrow early frontrunner, followed by Rodrigues‑Birkett and Grossi. Multiple rounds of polling are expected, potentially extending into late September or early October. Any candidate must avoid a veto from one of the five permanent Security Council members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – each of which holds distinct worldviews.
Implications for the UN’s future
The next secretary‑general will inherit an organization facing declining stature and pressure to streamline operations. Candidates, including Otunnu, argue that decisive reform is essential to preserve the UN’s relevance and ability to address global challenges such as conflict, climate change, and humanitarian crises.
Otunnu’s appeal to faith‑based values and his emphasis on moral leadership aim to resonate with member states seeking a balance between pragmatic reform and the UN’s founding ideals. As the selection process unfolds, the international community will watch closely to see which candidate can unite diverse interests while steering the organization toward a more effective and principled future.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
