Grossi pledges to act independently if appointed UN Secretary-General

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 3: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi told RIA Novosti that, if appointed UN Secretary-General, he would act independently and be guided by the UN Charter.

"Of course. I think that is the essence of any leader of an international organisation, as per the UN Charter, by the way. Being independent, being your own person, being mindful of your mission in this case, marked by the UN Charter and what is happening in the world," Grossi said when asked whether he would seek to pursue an independent mandate if selected for the post.

Grossi added that he adheres to a similar principle in his current role as head of the IAEA, where he is guided by the agency's statute and the tasks entrusted to him.

Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan received the most votes of support in the fourth straw poll, a source has told RIA Novosti.

Currently there are seven candidates for the top UN job. Apart from Grynspan and Grossi, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki, former Ugandan Foreign Minister Olara Otunnu, and former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett are running for the post.

The second and final term of current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will end on December 31.

(UNI)