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Original article: Bachelet enfrenta su primer debate oficial por la Secretaría General de la ONU tras el portazo de Kast: “La paz debe prevalecer”

Bachelet Faces First Official Debate for UN Secretary-General Position Amid Kast’s Withdrawal: «Peace Must Prevail»

Michelle Bachelet participated in her inaugural debate for the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) today, following the decision by José Antonio Kast’s government to withdraw its support for her candidacy, previously announced by former president Gabriel Boric’s administration.

In an event held at the General Assembly Hall in New York, the former Chilean president (2006-2010 and 2014-2018) and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights officially presented her programmatic pillars to the international community, emphasizing that «peace must prevail.»

The forum, titled «Open UN Dialogue: The Next Secretary-General,» gathered six candidates vying to succeed Portuguese António Guterres starting January 1, 2027. This gathering has been described as a landmark in the selection process, allowing member states to hear firsthand from the candidates regarding their proposals.

During her speech, Bachelet, who is backed by the governments of Brazil and Mexico, defended her qualifications based on her experience managing a country, her involvement in multilateral organizations, and her strong advocacy for human rights, gender equality, and social policies.

Amid the debate, she addressed the crisis in the Middle East caused by the U.S. war against Iran, which has impacted the international energy market following Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. attacks.

Bachelet emphasized that the UN Secretary-General «must prevent and prioritize the avoidance of such situations,» while exhausting all diplomatic channels, from sending special envoys to direct dialogue with heads of state.

«Of course, we must utilize all available tools, build bridges between disputing parties, insist on peaceful solutions, engage special envoys, and sit down with heads of state to see all that can produce a positive effect. It is not easy, but the Secretary-General must not give up. Peace must prevail,» she argued, in statements reported by Bio Bío Chile.

When asked about her vision for the future of the organization, Bachelet envisions a more approachable and representative UN. Her goal is for the global citizenry to perceive the organization as one that responds to their demands and represents all states within five years of her management.

In this context, she stressed that the United Nations remains the only forum where weaker and more powerful countries can converge on equal terms to engage in dialogue. «If we manage to create this, people will continue to trust, and the UN will remain relevant and essential,» she stated.

Another pillar of her presentation centered on defending her independence. Bachelet highlighted that neutrality, impartiality, and independence are in her DNA, traits she considers essential to represent all states.

Bachelet: «I Faced Pressure from Various Countries and Withstood It»

She recounted that during her tenure as High Commissioner for Human Rights, she resisted pressures from various countries, which she believes demonstrates her strength to uphold the organization’s principles.

«I have proven that it is important, as this is the only way to show you can represent all states, powerful and otherwise, as Secretary-General. I faced pressure from various countries when I served as High Commissioner for Human Rights, and I resisted those pressures,» she asserted.

When questioned about the current greatest threat, the candidate did not focus on a single conflict but chose to discuss a systemic challenge. In addition to specific crises in the Middle East or forced recruitment by criminal groups in Africa, Bachelet identified global polarization and fragmentation as the main obstacle.

Her diagnosis is clear: «We need a strong, efficient, agile, transparent UN that takes seriously the challenges faced by youth and women. Peace is essential, but there will be no peace or security without development or human rights.«

«We must work very hard on this,» she emphasized, as reported by the cited source.

Alongside Bachelet, other candidates for the Secretary-General position include Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, Argentine Rafael Grossi, Senegalese Macky Sall (proposed by Burundi), Ecuadorian María Fernanda Espinosa (backed by Antigua and Barbuda), and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (nominated by Guyana).

The selection process is now entering a more confidential phase starting July 30, when the Security Council will conduct the first straw polls, which although non-binding, have historically indicated which candidate is likely to be recommended to the General Assembly for formal appointment.

The race remains open, but Bachelet has made it clear in this first encounter that her strategy is rooted in experience, diplomatic resilience, and a strong call for peace as an inviolable guiding principle.

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