Kofi Annan

The United Nations faces declining relevance amid geopolitical polarization and great-power rivalries. The incoming secretary-general must restore the UN as a consequential actor in global peace and security, rather than remaining a sidelined spectator to major conflicts.

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall, running for UN Secretary-General on Burundi's nomination despite African Union rejection by approximately 20 countries including Senegal, pledged to prioritize coordination with regional blocs and address African debt concerns while maintaining member state sovereignty.