Argentina Nominates IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi for UN Secretary-General Post

Argentina Puts Forward IAEA Head for Top UN Role

Argentina has officially nominated Rafael Grossi, the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for the position of the next United Nations Secretary-General. The nomination was announced on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who described it as 'an honour and a privilege' to present the career diplomat for the esteemed post.

This move by President Javier Milei's government is seen as an effort to reposition Argentina within the international community. If successful, Grossi would be the first Argentine to lead the global organization.

Grossi's Extensive Diplomatic and Nuclear Expertise

Rafael Grossi, born on March 12, 1961, is an Argentine diplomat with over 35 years of experience in non-proliferation and disarmament. He has served as the Director General of the IAEA since December 3, 2019, making him the first Latin American to head the agency.

Prior to his leadership at the IAEA, Grossi held significant diplomatic roles, including Argentina's Ambassador to Austria and its representative to the IAEA and other Vienna-based international organizations from 2013 to 2019. His career also includes serving as Deputy Director General of the IAEA between 2010 and 2013 and holding senior positions within the Argentine foreign service. His work has often involved mediating during international crises and contributing to international peace and security through open and efficient management.

The UN Secretary-General Selection Process

The formal search for the next UN Secretary-General officially commenced on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with a joint letter from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council to all 193 member states. The term of the current Secretary-General, António Guterres, concludes on December 31, 2026, with the new five-year term set to begin on January 1, 2027.

The selection process involves several key stages:

• Nomination: Candidates must be nominated by a UN member state or a group of states.
• Vision Statement: Nominees are required to submit a vision statement outlining their priorities for the UN, along with disclosures of funding sources.
• Security Council Recommendation: The Security Council recommends a candidate to the General Assembly. This stage is critical, as the five permanent members hold veto power.
• General Assembly Appointment: The General Assembly then appoints the recommended candidate by a majority vote.

There is an informal tradition of geographical rotation for the position, with many observers noting that it is currently Latin America's turn. Additionally, there is a significant push among member states to select the first-ever female Secretary-General, a point explicitly highlighted in the UN's call for nominations.

A Competitive Field Emerges

Grossi joins a growing list of potential candidates for the top UN diplomatic post. Other publicly declared candidates include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan, who currently leads the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The selection process is expected to involve public interviews, a transparency measure first introduced during the 2016 selection that led to Guterres' initial appointment.

As the international community seeks a leader to navigate complex global challenges, the qualifications and vision of each candidate will be closely scrutinized in the coming months.