Candidates for the Next UN Secretary-General Emphasize Reform in Jeju

Candidates for the next UN SecretaryGeneral gathered at the Jeju Forum, emphasizing the need to restore trust in the UN and carry out reforms. The event was held on the 25th at Haevichi Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju, and the candidates said that the UN must respond more proactively in an international environment where the role of multilateralism has weakened. The discussion was attended by former UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, UN Conference on Trade and Development SecretaryGeneral Rebeca Grynspan, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet participated via video message. Former UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Kimoon said in his opening remarks that the UN is facing difficulties in terms of finances, authority, and trust. He said the next SecretaryGeneral would have an opportunity to restore trust in the weakened multilateral system, and in a separate session urged the United States to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and international organizations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Minister Cho Hyun met separately with the candidates on the 24th and 25th to discuss the UN’s role in global peace and prosperity.