Ugandan diplomat Otunnu joins race to become next UN head
Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has entered the race to become the next UN Secretary-General, joining a field of seven candidates. He emphasizes institutional reform and the creation of an AI oversight body as key priorities.
Why it matters
The selection of a new UN leader is a major geopolitical event that will influence the organization's approach to global conflicts and bureaucratic reform.
(Reuters) – Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has joined the contest to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the seventh contender to succeed Antonio Guterres when he steps down at the end of this year.
Otunnu, a former U.N. under-secretary-general who served as a special representative for children and armed conflict, was nominated by Uganda in a letter on Friday to the presidents of the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council.
At 75, he is the oldest of the current candidates for the role, which Guterres has held for two five-year terms.
Guterres’ successor faces the task of revitalising an organisation in crisis and declining stature that is under increasing pressure to reform a bloated, costly bureaucracy and cut duplication across its many agencies.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in