Argentina Backs Rafael Grossi for UN Secretary-General

BUENOS AIRES – Argentina has formally nominated Rafael Grossi, the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as a candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The announcement, made Wednesday by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, positions Grossi as a key contender in a growing field of potential successors to António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, 2026.

Es un honor y un privilegio presentar hoy la candidatura de Rafael Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) al cargo de Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas.

Rafael Grossi es reconocido internacionalmente por la extraordinaria tarea que viene desempeñando como Director General del…

— Pablo Quirno (@pabloquirno) November 26, 2025

“It is an honor and a privilege to present Rafael Grossi’s candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations today,” Quirno stated via social media. He highlighted Grossi’s six years leading the IAEA, emphasizing his “extraordinary task” and “great leadership capacity” in navigating critical issues of international peace and security.

A Seasoned Diplomat

Grossi, 64, brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to the potential role. He holds degrees in Political Science from the Universidad Católica Argentina, as well as advanced degrees in International Relations and History & International Politics from the University of Geneva. His career within the UN system began in the late 1990s, serving as President of the UN Group of Experts on Arms and as an advisor on Disarmament.

Prior to his current position at the IAEA, Grossi held several key roles, including Chief of Cabinet at the IAEA and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. He also served as Director-General for Political Coordination within the Argentine Foreign Ministry, and held diplomatic postings in Belgium and at the UN office in Geneva. From 2010 to 2013, he was Deputy Director-General of the IAEA, before becoming Argentina’s Ambassador to Austria in 2013 – a position he relinquished to lead the IAEA in 2019.

A Competitive Race

The formal process for selecting the next UN Secretary-General was launched Tuesday by Assembly President Annalena Baerbock. The race is expected to intensify in the coming year, with member states now able to formally submit candidates.

Grossi will be competing against a diverse group of contenders, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, as well as Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), Mia Mottley (Barbados), Alicia Bárcena (Mexico), and Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand). The selection process is a complex one, requiring navigating the interests of the UN’s 193 member states and the permanent members of the Security Council.

The next Secretary-General will face a challenging global landscape. As Quirno noted, the UN, approaching its 80th anniversary, “needs to consolidate reforms that strengthen its effectiveness and renew its international prestige” at a time marked by emerging challenges to global stability. The role demands a leader capable of navigating geopolitical tensions, addressing climate change, and fostering international cooperation – qualities Grossi’s supporters believe he possesses in abundance.

The UN’s influence remains critical, with its agencies responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid to over 100 million people annually and peacekeeping operations deployed in conflict zones worldwide. A strong and effective Secretary-General is vital to upholding the organization’s mandate and addressing the pressing issues facing the international community.