In an interview with the newspaper Folha de São PauloRafael Grossi, current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and candidate for the General Secretariat of the United Nations (UN), with the support of the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, stated that the entity needs to undergo a restructuring to reduce the overlapping of functions between bodies and cut excess bureaucracy.
According to Grossi, the UN is experiencing a period of discredit and needs to be reorganized to regain its effectiveness and international credibility. “Less fat and more muscle”, he said, defending a leaner organization, however, stronger and capable of responding to complex global crises.
According to the candidate, there is “undeniable bureaucratism” within the multilateral system, with “six, seven, eight organizations talking about the same things”, which, in his assessment, compromises the organization’s coordination and clarity of direction. For him, reorganizing the UN does not simply mean cutting resources, but consolidating mandates and defining priorities more precisely.
Grossi also stated that the election for the head of the UN occurs at one of the “most decisive” moments in the organization’s history, in the face of growing international conflicts and skepticism on the part of countries regarding its usefulness. According to him, it is necessary to restore the institution’s credibility and strengthen dialogue with great powers, including the United States.
Asked about the Argentine government’s support for his candidacy, Grossi stated that he does not deny his country’s support and highlighted that his nomination to head the UN officially comes from Argentina, as foreseen in the selection process. At the same time, he highlighted that he is “an independent international official”, with 40 years of diplomatic experience. He must face former leftist Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who has the support of several leftist governments, including Brazil, in the race to head the UN.
When asked about also being the candidate supported by Donald Trump for the position, Grossi replied that “it would be arrogant to say that”. However, he stated that he wishes to count on the support of the United States, as well as other decisive countries in the selection process.
Grossi highlighted that the US represents more than 22% of the UN budget and is fundamental to the functioning of the organization.
