A Generational Choice: Portugal Amplifies Youth in the Race for the Next UN Chief
At the margins of the ECOSOC Youth Forum, Portugal’s Permanent Representative to the UN hosted a discussion on youth priorities and perspectives on the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, the first time such an event was organized at the UN.
The discussion was co-organized together with the Permanent Missions of Slovakia, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, the Maldives, South Africa and with the UN Foundation.
Ambassador Rui Vinhas mentioned that the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 is taking place at a time of profound transition for the multilateral system, with rising geopolitical tensions testing the foundations of cooperation across all regions. Global risks, spanning from climate change to technological disruption, are accelerating in scale and complexity. Public trust in institutions is under strain.
As the selection of the next Secretary-General takes place in this context, the decision Member States will take is not only institutional, but generational.
In welcoming the youth attending, Ambassador Vinhas referenced that young people are inheriting a world marked by both unprecedented opportunity and deep uncertainty. Yet, too often, young voices are not sufficiently reflected in the rooms where those decisions are made. The legitimacy and effectiveness of the United Nations depend on its ability to listen, adapt, and respond to those it serves, especially to young people. Not as a symbolic gesture, but as a substantive commitment.
Demonstrating strong knowledge and sensitivity, the young participants considered that the next Secretary-General must continue to be a bridge-builder in an increasingly fragmented world. A defender of international law and the UN Charter at a time when both are being challenged. A champion of innovation who understands the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies. And crucially, a leader who recognizes young people not as passive beneficiaries, but as active partners in shaping global solutions.
Member States attended the event in listening mode and approached the dialogue with a shared understanding that credibility in multilateralism is built through inclusion, transparency, and accountability. Through this event, Portugal reiterated its commitment to have a responsive, representative and resilient United Nations that can deliver for both present and future generations. The choice of the next Secretary-General is an opportunity to renew this commitment.
