Rebeca Grynspan, a senior U.N. official and a candidate to become the first female secretary-general of the United Nations, has emphasized her commitment to restoring trust in the organization amid ongoing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. The process to nominate the next U.N. leader officially commenced last week, aiming to fill the position held by Antonio Guterres come January 1, 2027.
Grynspan, who currently serves as the secretary-general of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development and previously held the vice presidency in Costa Rica, is among the openly declared candidates to lead the U.N. Should she be elected, her tenure would overlap with Trump’s presidency. Trump has maintained skepticism toward multilateralism, echoing sentiments from his earlier administration from 2017 to 2021, accusing the U.N. of inadequately facilitating peace negotiations in various global conflicts. He acknowledges the organization’s potential but insists it must significantly improve its operations.
The U.N. has pushed back against these criticisms, asserting its ongoing reform efforts and the vital role U.S. support has played in its success, which has positively impacted lives worldwide. In a recent interview, Grynspan noted that Trump’s critiques could be constructive rather than destructive, advocating for an embrace of necessary reforms within the U.N. She stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing the diminishing trust in the organization, which she views as fundamental for global stability.
Grynspan highlighted the U.N.’s successes in reducing poverty and maternal and infant mortality rates, making a case for the institution’s enduring value despite the need for reform. She argued against dismissing the decades of experience and infrastructure built over the U.N.’s 80-year history, asserting that it has served the world well.
The call for a woman to step into the role of secretary-general is growing, with Grynspan emphasizing that the lack of female leadership in the past is puzzling, given the number of qualified women available. She stated that the demand is for equal treatment rather than special treatment, reinforcing that true equality is essential for progress.
Alongside Grynspan, other candidates such as former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi have emerged, with the expectation that the next secretary-general will likely come from Latin America, as the role traditionally rotates by region.
Grynspan also pointed out that the U.N., founded with just 51 member states following World War Two, now encompasses 193 nations, most of which had no say in its original structure. She believes that amplifying the voices of underrepresented member states, particularly by granting permanent Security Council seats to African and Latin American nations, constitutes a valuable reform.
As the election process unfolds, the prospect of having a woman lead the U.N. for the first time ignites hope for a more inclusive and effective international body, capable of addressing the modern world’s challenges while building trust among member states.