Rebeca Grynspan Says UN Must Take More Risks to Resolve Conflicts

Rebeca Grynspan, a leading candidate to become the next United Nations secretary-general, has called for changes to make the organisation more effective.

She said the UN has become too cautious when dealing with international conflicts and needs to be more willing to take risks to find solutions.

In an interview with Reuters on October 15, Grynspan also called for fewer administrative layers, job cuts and better coordination between UN agencies.

Her comments come as the organisation faces financial pressure and criticism over its ability to respond to major conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

• Rebeca Grynspan Calls for UN Reform and a More Active Role in Diplomacy
• UN Secretary-General Candidate Urges Bold Action to Resolve Global Conflicts
• Rebeca Grynspan Proposes Job Cuts and Stronger Coordination Across UN Agencies

Grynspan Calls for Changes at the UN

Grynspan said the UN should not avoid difficult diplomatic efforts simply because they might fail. She believes the organisation must continue trying to resolve conflicts, even when negotiations do not produce immediate results.

She also argued that UN reform should involve more than reducing costs. The organisation needs to review its priorities, remove unnecessary work and make better use of its resources.

Grynspan is a former vice-president of Costa Rica and currently heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She cited her experience at the agency, where she said she reduced staffing by 20% while narrowing its focus.

Her comments come as the United States calls for greater efficiency and lower spending across the UN system. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz has raised concerns about overlapping responsibilities and unnecessary bureaucracy among UN agencies.

Grynspan said she supports reviewing the work of different agencies and combining activities where necessary. If elected secretary-general, she would appoint a senior official to oversee coordination and ensure that agencies focus on their main responsibilities.

However, she stressed that reform should involve more than cutting jobs and budgets. The UN also needs to improve its ability to respond to international crises and deliver results.

Grynspan Wants Greater Focus on Diplomacy

Grynspan pointed to her role in negotiations that led to the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative as an example of how diplomacy can help resolve difficult problems. The agreement allowed Ukraine to resume grain and other food exports through its Black Sea ports after Russia's invasion.

She described the negotiations as an example of quiet diplomacy, where discussions took place away from public attention. Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, but Grynspan said the experience showed that continued diplomatic efforts could still produce results in difficult circumstances.

She also called for greater attention to conflict prevention before disputes escalate. In her view, the UN needs to make better use of its staff, information and experience to support negotiations and mediation.

Grynspan said UN peacekeeping operations should also be more flexible. She pointed to the international support mission in Haiti as an example of an alternative approach when traditional UN peacekeeping arrangements may not be suitable.

The comments come as the UN prepares to choose its next secretary-general. António Guterres is due to complete his second five-year term at the end of 2026.

Grynspan is among the leading candidates, although the selection process is not yet settled. The next secretary-general must secure sufficient support in the 15-member Security Council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members.

If elected, Grynspan would become the first woman to lead the United Nations. However, she faces competition from other candidates, and the final decision will depend on the council's discussions.

Also Read: Musk's Starlink Restrictions Raise Tensions Between US and Ukraine

Her campaign focuses on making the UN more efficient, improving coordination between agencies and giving international diplomacy a stronger role in resolving conflicts. She believes the organisation must be prepared to take calculated risks and learn from setbacks if it wants to play a more effective role in international affairs.