Macky Sall, the former President of Senegal, and Rebecca Grinspan, the former Vice President of Costa Rica, have both announced their candidacies for the position of UN Secretary-General, as the current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's term is set to end this year. Their announcements add to a growing list of four candidates, which already includes Rafael Grossi from Argentina and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, the latter two of whom could make history as the first female Secretary-General if elected.

Rebecca Grinspan has significant experience with the United Nations, having served as the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and as Deputy Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and she is nominated by the Costa Rican government. In contrast, Macky Sall is currently being endorsed by the Burundian government, which chairs the African Union, strengthening his candidacy by aligning with broader African support.

In April, a dialogue session will be held where candidates can address their visions and respond to questions from member states, leading to a selection process by the Security Council expected to begin by the end of July. This upcoming election is particularly significant, as it reflects the UN’s ongoing efforts to increase gender representation within its leadership roles, with the potential for either Grinspan or Bachelet to break barriers by becoming the first female Secretary-General if elected.