UN Secretary-General Race: Two Leading Candidates Meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister

As the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations gathers momentum, two leading candidates met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad this week, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic significance in the ongoing selection process.

On 10 July 2026, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, currently serving as Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two discussed multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, economic challenges facing developing countries, and the role of the United Nations in addressing global issues.

A day earlier, Macky Sall, former President of Senegal and a candidate for the UN’s top post, also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Their meeting focused on international peace, regional cooperation, Africa–Asia relations, and strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with the United Nations.

Earlier this week, María Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the UN General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador, also held talks with the Prime Minister during her visit to Pakistan.

The meetings come at a crucial stage of the UN Secretary-General selection process. While no official front-runner has been declared, diplomats and international observers widely regard Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, María Fernanda Espinosa, and Macky Sall among the strongest contenders for the position.

Pakistan’s engagement with several candidates highlights its active diplomatic role ahead of the Security Council’s deliberations and the General Assembly’s appointment of the next UN Secretary-General, who will assume office on 1 January 2027.