China Backs Female Candidacy for UN Secretary-General Role

China supports the election of a woman as the next UN Secretary-General, emphasizing the need for gender equality at the helm of the global organization. The selection process has begun with candidates like Michelle Bachelet and Rebeca Grynspan in the fray. China underlines the importance of a strong, multilateral-focused leader.

China has shown its support for the election of a woman as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, describing such a move as a historic and welcome step. The global organization, in its 80 years, has never had a female leader, and the selection process is currently underway.

The candidates include Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Rebeca Grynspan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Also in the race are IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and former Senegalese president Macky Sall. China has stated that it wants a Secretary-General committed to multilateralism, who supports the UN’s pillars of peace, security, development, and human rights.

China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong, emphasized that the selection of the new Secretary-General, under their presidency of the Security Council, is a critical issue. The process involves consultations and modalities to be decided upon by the 15-member Security Council, including a potential method for a straw poll as early as June or July.