Candidates seeking to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations outlined their priorities during a town hall at the General Assembly, emphasizing the need to restore the organization’s credibility, improve efficiency, and address its financial challenges. The event comes as the Security Council prepares to hold its first informal “straw poll” to gauge support before selecting the UN’s next leader. Candidates highlighted concerns over unpaid member state contributions, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and questions about the UN’s relevance in addressing global crises. The next Secretary-General, who takes office on January 1, will inherit an organization facing significant political, financial, and operational challenges. 

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