Grossi warns that the United Nations is slowly losing its relevance

11:53

By: Azzat Manal

Grossi warns that the United Nations is slowly losing its relevance

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general, has warned that the organization is gradually losing its ability to respond effectively to major international crises.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Grossi said he did not expect the United Nations to collapse in the immediate future, but argued that the organization was experiencing a form of “slow death.” In his view, growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts between states have exposed limitations in the UN system and raised questions about its ability to deliver effective solutions.

Grossi’s comments come as the selection process for the next UN secretary-general gets underway. The Security Council has begun holding confidential consultations and preliminary votes among candidates before eventually recommending one name to the General Assembly for formal appointment.

Seven candidates are reportedly taking part in the current selection process: former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Ugandan politician Olara Otunnu, Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Senegalese politician Macky Sall.

The selection of the secretary-general is closely watched because the position plays a central role in international diplomacy, conflict prevention and humanitarian coordination. Although the secretary-general does not have independent executive authority over member states, the office serves as an important platform for diplomatic mediation and international cooperation.

The next secretary-general will inherit a challenging international environment marked by armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, humanitarian emergencies and disagreements among major powers. These divisions have frequently complicated efforts within the Security Council to reach consensus on international crises.

The current secretary-general, António Guterres, is serving his second and final term, which is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026. The incoming leader will therefore face the task of strengthening confidence in the UN while navigating increasingly complex relations between its member states.

Grossi’s remarks also highlight a broader debate over the future of multilateral institutions. Supporters of reform argue that the UN needs to adapt its structures and decision-making mechanisms to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities, while others emphasize the importance of preserving international cooperation despite disagreements between major powers.