Argentina nominates Grossi for UN Secretary General role

The country’s foreign office said Grossi has had "a distinguished career spanning more than four decades as an official in the Argentine diplomatic corps and, more recently, as head of the IAEA, whose leadership was recognised when he was elected for a second term in 2023. His main achievements were aimed at contributing to international peace and security through open, efficient, present management with evident results".

It added that "his deep knowledge of the multilateral system, his ability to promote diplomatic dialogue, his proven performance in situations of conflict and serious international crises as an impartial and effective interlocutor, his technical and linguistic competence and his commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, make him an excellent candidate".

Grossi, 64, became IAEA director general in 2019. He was re-elected unopposed for a second term in 2023. His time in office has coincided with the Russia-Ukraine war and has seen him playing a mediator role over the safety and security of nuclear facilities, including Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which came under Russian military control in early March 2022, and which is on the frontline of the two countries' forces.

Before becoming the sixth director general of the IAEA he was Argentina's Ambassador to Austria and the country's Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based International Organisations, including the IAEA.

The current secretary general of the United Nations is Antonio Gutteres. The official start of the nominations process for selecting his successor was launched on Tuesday with a letter sent to member states by Annalena Baerbock, president of the UN General Assembly, and Michael Imran Kanu, President of the Security Council.

It said: "The position of Secretary General is one of great importance and one that requires the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and a firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We invite candidates to be presented who have proven leadership and managerial abilities, extensive experience in international relations and strong diplomatic, communication and multilingual skills. Noting with regret that no woman has ever held the position of Secretary-General, and convinced of the need to guarantee equal opportunities for women and men in gaining access to senior decision-making positions, Member States are encouraged to strongly consider nominating women as candidates. We note the importance of regional diversity in the selection of Secretaries-General."

The UN Security Council is scheduled to select its preferred candidate in July 2026. With a number of candidates expected to have been nominated for the role, the Security Council members meet and aim to reach consensus - and may hold secret ballots with the options of 'encourage' or 'discourage' for each of the candidates. Once the Security Council has agreed on a candidate they are expected to be appointed by a vote of the UN's General Assembly.