Faith Nyasuguta
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados is now leading the race for the role of United Nations Secretary General. Despite her reserved response to the news, insiders indicate she is the frontrunner among the current candidates.
The selection process for the new Secretary General, set for 2026, has already sparked early speculations. The United Nations Headquarters in New York is abuzz with rumors favoring Mia Mottley’s appointment.
Traditionally, the position has rotated among different global regions, and the next Secretary General is expected to hail from Latin America or the Caribbean, which strengthens Mottley’s prospects.
Notably, the position has never been held by a woman in its 78-year history. Many experts advocate for the appointment of a female candidate, a criterion met by Mia Mottley.
Another candidate mentioned for the position is former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. However, his representatives have denied any campaign plans.
Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is also a name circulating in the rumor mills.
Additionally, there are speculations about possible replacements for the current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, including Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary; Rebeca Grynspan, a high-level UN official and former vice president of Costa Rica; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former president of the UN General Assembly and former minister of Ecuador.
Nevertheless, Mia Mottley’s name resonates most strongly with the public. Whether it’s her charisma or outspoken nature, she has captured the hearts and minds of those anticipating the selection process. One UN diplomat expressed excitement at the prospect of her victory.
Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, has openly pledged his support for Mia Mottley’s candidacy, describing her as a great choice for Secretary General.
Mia Mottley assumed office as Prime Minister in 2018 and secured a second term with a resounding victory. She is internationally respected for her efforts to sever her nation’s colonial ties and her work on issues such as slavery reparations, climate change, and the need for global financial institution reform.
Mottley is known for her straightforward approach and reluctance to appease powerful groups. In a recent UN General Assembly speech, she questioned the accessibility of Venezuela’s oil and gas by Chevron and the European Union, contrasting it with the Caribbean’s limited access.
These qualities have made Mia Mottley the most popular choice among the contenders for the prestigious position.
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