In late June 2026, President Macky Sall gave a series of interviews to the American press. In an exclusive interview published on 21 June, the candidate for United Nations Secretary-General set out his approach to reforming the Organization. His message is addressed to all capitals, including Washington, home to a permanent member of the Security Council and the largest contributor to the UN budget.
Management reform holds a central place in his candidacy. President Macky Sall proposes to streamline structures, simplify mandates, improve management and reduce the costs of the Organization. This commitment forms the third pillar of his vision, presented to Member States at the launch of the campaign, and it answers an expectation widely shared across the General Assembly.
The objective is clear. President Macky Sall wants a United Nations "that delivers results governments can defend before their citizens." To that end, every mandate must serve a precise purpose and every contribution paid by Member States must produce a measurable effect on the ground. The Organization, for its part, must account for its work with rigour and transparency.
In these interviews, the candidate also stated his openness to dialogue with all Member States, including those that criticise the Organization. In his view, the harshest criticisms must be heard and answered with concrete measures that go beyond statements of intent. His vision statement captures this in one sentence: "Trust is built through consistency, fairness and efficiency."
This media sequence reflects the method of a candidate who speaks to every capital without exception. In June he met several members of the Security Council, and he continues his consultations with all regional groups. His record as Head of State, Chairperson of the African Union and Special Envoy of the Paris Pact for People and the Planet underpins this practice of direct dialogue.
The election of the next United Nations Secretary-General will take place in 2026, and the first indicative votes of the Security Council are expected at the end of July. President Macky Sall intends to approach this milestone with a precise programme: an Organization that is simpler and more efficient, and close to the citizens it serves.