Sep 22, 2026 15:24 pm IST

Opinion | As UN Interviews Its Next Chief, The Interviewers Have Some Explaining To Do

On the panel sit governments whose wars, vetoes, and unpaid dues have helped make the organisation ineffective.

Syed Akbaruddin Syed Akbaruddin Columnist

Syed Akbaruddin Columnist

The race for the next UN chief is underway, with candidates facing a series of job interviews. On the panel sit governments whose wars, vetoes, and unpaid dues have helped make the organisation ineffective. When the General Assembly's annual debate opens on September 22, the interviewers should face some difficult questions too.

External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation. India is not on the Security Council and has no vote in its recommendation for the next Secretary-General. It participates in the Assembly's formal appointment. Its concerns extend to how the UN works, who it serves, and whether powerful states will accept the restraints they demand of others.

According to the UN Secretariat, 73 heads of state and 45 heads of government are expected. Governments continue to come to New York because the UN offers access to almost the entire international community. Attendance alone is not achievement. The gathering has become increasingly detached from many of the crises it discusses.

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