On 23 July, the candidates in the UN Secretary-General 2026 race will appear in the General Assembly Hall, and the Security Council's indicative votes are expected in the last week of the month. One week before that town hall, President Macky Sall sets out how he intends to run the Organisation well. It is the third pillar of his vision: strengthening the governance of the United Nations.
The pillar rests on three requirements: rationalise, simplify, optimise. Rationalise structures and mandates, so that every body serves a clear purpose. Simplify working methods through innovation and digital technology, as well as performance evaluation. Optimise the use of human and financial resources, with funding that is more predictable and sustainable.
Governance is also decided in the field. Duplication across agencies, funds and programmes costs resources that people need. President Macky Sall proposes stronger coordination of operations, a more flexible Organisation adapted to local realities, with particular attention to structurally fragile countries.
These requirements come from the experience of a head of state, who answers for every expenditure before his people. As a former President of the Republic of Senegal, President Macky Sall understands member states' concern for the optimal use of the Organisation's resources. His pledge follows the words of his vision statement: transparent management for an effective, efficient and accountable Secretariat, and results governments can defend before their citizens, so as to do better with less.
The third pillar completes the other two: an integrated vision linking peace and security to development, and a renewed, revitalised multilateralism. Together they form a platform for an Organisation recentred on its original missions, able to rebuild trust among member states.
Held at the initiative of the President of the General Assembly, the 23 July town hall will let all candidates answer member states and civil society. The Security Council will then continue its deliberations, with indicative votes expected from the last week of July, before recommending a candidate to the General Assembly. Secretary-General António Guterres's term ends on 31 December 2026; his successor takes office on 1 January 2027.
Until then, the running of the Organisation will remain at the centre of his exchanges with member states. President Macky Sall offers them an Organisation that uses its resources wisely and delivers verifiable results in the service of peace and security.