Olara Otunnu, a prominent Ugandan diplomat, lawyer, and former Foreign Minister, has been formally nominated as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General. Otunnu, who previously served as a UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, is among seven individuals vying to succeed Antonio Guterres in the position often described as the world's top diplomatic role.
Otunnu has articulated a vision for the United Nations that diverges from traditional diplomatic norms. He stated, "I do not want the United Nations of New York, Geneva or Vienna to be an ivory tower, a diplomatic ivory tower. I want to see the UN not of power and privilege, but the UN of service and impact. That is the UN I want see."
His nomination by Uganda places him in contention for a role that requires navigating complex global challenges and bridging the gap between international politics and the needs of people worldwide. The Interview, a BBC World Service program, features conversations with individuals shaping the global landscape, including past interviews with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and South Africa’s Ambassador to the US Roelf Meyer. Otunnu's interview on "The Interview" program details his approach to diplomacy and his aspirations for the United Nations.