Meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirms Senegal’s support for Macky Sall’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General
- Press release
Dakar, July 17, 2026 (read the press release below)
Uniting a fragmented world
Meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye confirms Senegal’s support for Macky Sall’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General
President Macky Sall met on July 17, 2026, with His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Palace in Dakar to discuss his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and reflected a shared commitment to dialogue, institutional continuity and the higher interests of the nation.
Following the meeting, the President of the Republic decided that Senegal would extend its full support to President Macky Sall’s candidacy for Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The President of the Republic also instructed the Government and Senegal’s diplomatic network to mobilize fully in support of the candidacy before the Member States of the United Nations.
This outcome was confirmed in an official communiqué issued by the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs on July 20, 2026.
President Macky Sall shares vision for the future of the United Nations at General Assembly candidates’ dialogue
During the dialogue with candidates for the position of Secretary-General, organized by the United Nations General Assembly on July 23, 2026, in New York, His Excellency Macky Sall presented his vision for a reformed, more effective, more inclusive United Nations that is better aligned with the expectations of the Member States and the peoples it serves.
In his opening statement, he highlighted the experience gained over nearly forty years of public service. As a former Head of State and former Chairperson of ECOWAS, NEPAD and the African Union, he emphasized that this experience had enabled him to lead major reforms, manage complex crises, foster dialogue among parties with sometimes divergent interests, and promote consensus-based solutions. He also recalled having successfully led the diplomatic efforts that resulted in the admission of the African Union as a member of the G20.
The candidate highlighted how these wide-ranging leadership experiences provide a strong foundation for serving as Secretary-General with impartiality, a spirit of listening and a commitment to bringing people together. He reaffirmed his determination to serve all Member States by prioritizing dialogue, practical solutions and the restoration of trust in the United Nations.
Presenting the priorities for his first one hundred days, he indicated that he would establish a senior leadership team based on competence, diversity and equitable geographical representation.
His programme would be built around three principal priorities:
The first would be to strengthen the role of the United Nations in conflict prevention through preventive diplomacy, early warning, mediation, the Secretary-General’s good offices and stronger cooperation with regional organizations.
The second would focus on improving the effectiveness of the Organization through an operational review of its structures and mandates, support for consultations on United Nations reform, including under the UN80 Initiative, and measures to address the Organization’s liquidity crisis by strengthening transparency, accountability and sound financial governance.
The third priority would be to keep human rights and development at the centre of the United Nations’ work, while launching consultations on the post-2030 agenda and promoting an approach to financing for development that places greater emphasis on investment, trade and partnerships.
In conclusion, the candidate expressed his determination to place the United Nations, from the first one hundred days of the mandate, on the path towards becoming a more agile and more effective Organization, with a stronger focus on prevention, capable of restoring the confidence of Member States and responding more effectively to the expectations of people around the world.
President Macky Sall meets with His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
President Macky Sall met on July 20, 2026, with His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in the context of his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency Minister Lavrov for this exchange of views on issues of common interest.
The discussions focused on the major challenges facing the United Nations and the role of the Organization in responding effectively to the global issues confronting multilateralism, both today and in the years ahead.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing contemporary global challenges.
President Macky Sall received by the President of the Republic of The Gambia
President Macky Sall was received on July 17, 2026, by His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, as part of his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency President Barrow for the warm welcome and for the cordial meeting.
The meeting provided an opportunity for President Macky Sall to share his vision and to exchange views on the issues and challenges at the heart of Africa and global governance.
President Macky Sall meets with His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia
President Macky Sall held an excellent meeting on July 13, 2026, with His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as part of his campaign for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to exchange views on issues of shared interest.
The meeting reflected a convergence of views on several important issues, including the strengthening of multilateralism and respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The exchange also highlighted the importance of dialogue, cooperation and a renewed commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter in addressing today’s global challenges.
President Macky Sall meets with His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
President Macky Sall held an excellent meeting on July 10, 2026, with His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, as part of his campaign for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency the Prime Minister for his warm welcome and for the opportunity to exchange views on issues of shared interest.
The meeting reflected a convergence of views on the importance of a revitalized and effective United Nations, faithful to the principles of its Charter.
President Macky Sall also commended Pakistan’s consistent commitment to multilateralism, its major contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and the continued engagement of its leaders in the peaceful resolution of disputes and the collective management of global challenges.
The exchange reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, cooperation and a renewed commitment to multilateral action in support of peace, security and shared progress.
President Macky Sall meets with His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani in Manama
President Macky Sall held a cordial audience on July 9, 2026, in Manama, with His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the context of his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency Dr. Alzayani for the warm welcome and for the constructive exchange on issues of common interest.
The discussions addressed the challenges facing multilateralism, the dialogue of civilizations, the reform of the Organization, and the need to revitalize the role of the United Nations in the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of dialogue, cooperation and renewed confidence in the multilateral system at a time of significant international challenges.
President Macky Sall meets with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis
President Macky Sall held a cordial meeting on July 2, 2026, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, together with Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, in the context of his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Macky Sall expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Mitsotakis for his warm welcome and for the opportunity to exchange views on issues of shared interest.
The discussions covered a range of important topics, including development cooperation and the wider challenges facing contemporary multilateralism.
President Macky Sall greatly appreciated the substantive nature of the exchange and the opportunity to discuss the role that the United Nations must play at this critical juncture.
The meeting also reflected shared perspectives on the importance of a United Nations capable of responding effectively to today’s global challenges and supporting cooperation among Member States.
A Personal Message from President Macky Sall
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his warm welcome and the cordial meeting we held on 2 July 2026, together with Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, in the context of my candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
I greatly appreciated our substantive discussions on a range of issues, including development cooperation. I also highly value our shared perspectives on the role that the United Nations must play at this critical juncture for contemporary multilateralism.
President Macky Sall meets with His Excellency Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
President Macky Sall held a warm meeting on June 29, 2026, with His Excellency Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, in the context of his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange on major issues of common interest relating to multilateralism and to the life of the Organization.
During the discussion, President Macky Sall and His Excellency Wang Yi addressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation and renewed confidence in the multilateral system at a time when the United Nations is called upon to respond to complex global challenges.
President Macky Sall expressed his appreciation for the constructive exchange and for the opportunity to discuss issues central to the future of the United Nations and international cooperation.
President Macky Sall also thanked His Excellency President Xi Jinping for facilitating his visit and for the cordial welcome extended to him.
President Macky Sall participates in the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity
President Macky Sall took part on June 25, 2026, in the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, held under the theme “Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World.”
As part of the panel “Reimagining Multilateralism,” President Macky Sall underlined the need to restore trust in multilateralism and in the United Nations at a time of growing global fragmentation.
He emphasized the essential role of the Secretary-General as a bridge-builder and catalyst for cooperation, particularly in a world facing complex and interconnected challenges.
President Macky Sall also highlighted resilience as a guiding principle for the next global agenda, stressing the importance of preparing the international system to respond more effectively to current and future challenges.
His participation formed part of a broader exchange on the future of cooperation, the renewal of multilateralism and the role of the United Nations in advancing peace, prosperity and collective action.
President Macky Sall expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its kind invitation and for hosting this important forum for dialogue and cooperation.
President Macky Sall meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
President Macky Sall was pleased to meet today, June 17, 2026, with Her Excellency Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
The meeting provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange on the future of the United Nations and the need for an Organization that is better suited to the challenges of our time.
As a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, President Sall appreciated the exchange with Minister Braže, as well as their shared vision of a United Nations that is fit for purpose.
President Sall commended Latvia’s firm commitment to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law. He underlined that these principles remain essential at a time when the international system is being tested by complex and evolving global challenges.
The discussion also reflected the importance of continued dialogue with Member States on how to strengthen confidence in the United Nations and ensure that the Organization can more effectively serve peoples and nations.
President Sall reaffirmed his commitment to working for a United Nations that is more effective, more accountable and fully able to live up to its purpose in the service of peace, cooperation and international law.
President Macky Sall received at the Élysée Palace by His Excellency Emmanuel Macron
President Macky Sall was received at the Élysée Palace on June 2, 2026, by His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The meeting provided an opportunity for constructive discussions in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation.
President Macky Sall thanked His Excellency Emmanuel Macron for his warm welcome and for their fruitful exchanges at the Élysée.
The two leaders shared the vision of an ambitious, reformed and revitalized United Nations, capable of strengthening its effectiveness, representativeness and ability to meet the expectations of peoples and states.
Their exchange reaffirmed the importance of a United Nations better equipped to respond to current global challenges and to fulfill its full potential in the service of peoples and Member States.
An Ambitious and Consensus-Driven Vision for the United Nations
In a rapidly changing world marked by multiple crises, rising tensions, and profound geopolitical shifts, international leadership is not an option: it is a necessity.
My candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations is grounded in a simple conviction: the time has come for courageous, consensus-driven leadership, resolutely focused on action.
In this context of great uncertainty, I am convinced that the World Organization remains the indispensable universal framework for dialogue and collective action in pursuit of concrete solutions to our shared challenges.
A Clear-Eyed Assessment
The world is facing an accumulation of crises: prolonged conflicts, geopolitical divides, economic instability, the growing debt burden of developing countries, environmental challenges, and the disruption of technological balances.
At the same time, the United Nations is going through a crisis of trust. Its effectiveness is being questioned, its capacity for action weakened, and its role sometimes challenged.
And yet, its potential remains unique.
For the United Nations to continue upholding the ideals on which it was founded, better respond to the expectations of Member States, and meet the challenges of the 21st century, it must be reformed, streamlined, and modernized.
A clear ambition : uniting a fragmented world
In an increasingly multipolar and complex world, one priority stands out: bridging divides and rebuilding trust.
This ambition is built on four pillars:
Restoring Trust
in multilateralism by safeguarding its unity, its capacity for action, its moral authority, its credibility, and its effectiveness
The ability to build consensus in complex contexts
at the heart of a more inclusive global order
Fraternity in Action
driven by critical thinking and responsibility
The Will to Rebuild Multilateralism
Multilateralism is under strain. It is being challenged, bypassed, and at times ignored. Its weakening would pave the way for a world in which international law is silenced.
Rebuilding multilateralism is not a matter of technical adjustments.
It requires:
- political courage
- strategic clarity
- a genuine ability to bring people together beyond divisions
The United Nations need a fresh perspective: a consensus-builder who is pragmatic, bold, and capable of advancing concrete reforms.
The United Nations must reclaim its original vocation as the central platform for strategic consultation, capable of delivering collective, credible, and effective responses in collaboration with the Bretton Woods institutions, other international financial institutions, and non-state partners.
Experience in Service of Action
My career has been one of commitment.
Nearly four decades dedicated to public service, including twelve years at the helm of a State, as well as my experience as Chairperson-in-Office of ECOWAS, NEPAD, the African Union, and other international frameworks, have enabled me to understand challenges at every level.
This commitment to serving both the local and the global seems essential to me in order to act with pragmatism and a spirit of openness and inclusion, particularly in support of the most vulnerable, including women and young people.
Solidarity is not a posture. It is a responsibility.
Three Priorities for Action
Forging an Integrated Vision of Peace, Security, Development, and Shared Prosperity
My objective is to streamline field interventions, avoid duplication, and increase the overall impact of our actions, while paying particular attention to structurally fragile countries.
Renewing and Revitalizing Multilateralism
Adapting the United Nations to a multipolar world and to the health, technological, and economic challenges of the 21st century. This will require reforming the Security Council and revitalizing the General Assembly.
Strengthening United Nations Governance
Building on the reforms already underway, three key imperatives will guide my approach to governance: streamline, simplify, and optimize.
Reform with purpose, unite with intelligence
The United Nations must evolve.
But no reform can succeed without the commitment of its Member States.
We must simplify, streamline, and optimize, but above all, convince, bring people together, and align efforts.
The role of the Secretary-General is clear:
To build convergence, not impose solutions.
A United Nations Refocused on the Essentials
In the face of major global challenges — security, climate, health, technology, migration, and debt — the United Nations must once again become the strategic centre of international cooperation.
A platform capable of delivering credible responses, in partnership with international financial institutions, States, the private sector, and civil society.
Pragmatic, consensus-driven leadership
My ambition is to serve as a Secretary-General:
- who unites
- who acts
- who drives change
The time for cautious balancing alone has passed.
Now is the time for action.
Lasting reform cannot be imposed. It must be understood, accepted, and shared.
Conclusion
The world needs a strong, respected, and effective United Nations.
A United Nations dedicated to action and unity.
I am ready to assume this responsibility.
Macky Sall: Experience That Serves the World
Former President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall embodies a career defined by commitment, discipline, and leadership in the service of the common good. Born on December 11, 1961, in Fatick, Senegal, he is married and the father of three children.
With a background in geology and geophysics, he has developed a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to today’s challenges. This experience continues to shape his commitment to dialogue among peoples and international cooperation.
Over many years in public service, he rose through the ranks to the highest office, holding some of Senegal’s top positions, including Prime Minister (2004-2007), President of the National Assembly (2007-2008), and President of the Republic for two terms (2012-2024). His leadership was marked by major reforms and significant progress in infrastructure, energy, education, healthcare, and economic development, with a strong focus on territorial equity and social justice.
On the international stage, Macky Sall has emerged as a leading voice for peace, stability, and sustainable development. As Chair of the African Union (2022-2023), he championed the continent’s priorities on the global stage and played a key role in advancing Africa’s integration into the G20. He also chaired ECOWAS and the NEPAD Steering Committee, actively contributing to the economic and institutional transformation of the African continent. His international engagement has consistently been guided by a commitment to consensus and the promotion of multilateralism in a fragmented world.
He has also served as Special Envoy for the Paris Pact for People and the Planet and as Chair of the Global Center on Adaptation, where he consistently worked to advance practical solutions to environmental challenges.
Recognized for his role in fostering dialogue, his openness, and his attachment to universal values, Macky Sall has received numerous international and academic distinctions. He holds honorary doctorates from several universities and is a member of prestigious academies.
He is the author of two books: Le Sénégal au cœur et L’Afrique au cœur, (English edition: Leading from the Heart). Guided by a vision of leadership grounded in listening, courage, responsibility, and action, Macky Sall aims to place his experience, his ability to bring people together, and his strategic vision at the service of the international community, with the ambition of strengthening the role of the United Nations in addressing the major challenges of the 21st century.
Exclusive — Leading UN Secretary-General Candidate Macky Sall Backs Donald Trump’s Push for Reforms: “Make the UN Great Again”
By Matthew Boyle — June 21, 2026, Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — Macky Sall, former President of Senegal and a leading candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview that he supports President Donald Trump’s push to reform the UN and wants to, as Trump and his team have said, “Make the UN Great Again.”
“My first message to President Trump is first to congratulate him for his action on peace,” Sall said in a phone interview ahead of a recent trip to Washington. “He’s a peace builder, even if sometimes we have some problems today with Iran, but what he did is huge on peace in the world, and he has to continue this process to be and to stay a peace builder.”
He added:
“The United States is the first power in the world and needs to be with the UN, but the UN also should be reformed to be efficient. With other Member States together, we can build a better UN, or, to MUNGA — we can Make the UN Great Again.”
A United Nations in Need of Reform
Macky Sall is one of several candidates to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations. The election is expected to take place in the fall during the United Nations General Assembly in September.
According to Sall, the concerns raised by the United States regarding the functioning of the Organization must be taken seriously if the United Nations is to survive and remain relevant.
“It is possible, with the support of the Member States, to make this reform,” Sall told Breitbart News. “I have the capacity as a political leader. I can be secretary, but also general if necessary, to bring the big powers to talk together.”
He emphasized the need to reform the UN, optimize its management, avoid overlapping mandates, and make the budget more efficient.
Sall also said he believes he could be a strong partner for Washington:
“I think I will be also the best partner for the United States. Of course, I know the U.S. was the one who created the UN after the Second World War, and I think the United States has to continue to be a leader in this organization.”
His Experience as an Asset
Macky Sall highlighted his political experience and international record.
He recalled that he served as:
-President of Senegal for twelve years;
-Prime Minister of Senegal;
-Speaker of the National Assembly;
-President of ECOWAS in 2015;
-Chairperson of the African Union from 2022 to 2023
He also underlined his role in advocating for the African Union’s permanent seat at the G20:
“During this, I made the advocacy to bring the African Union into the G20 summit, and now we have a permanent seat in the G20 because of that very strong advocacy.”
For Sall, this achievement shows that major progress is possible when political leadership exists.
He also emphasized his ability to work with major global leaders:
“I know very well also the Chinese President because I co-chaired with him the China-Africa Forum during six years. Same with President Putin, and of course with France and Europeans and Africa also.”
According to him, the current crisis facing the United Nations is largely linked to a lack of trust and dialogue between major powers:
“Today the problem of the UN is no trust, particularly between the big powers, and no big dialogue and no reform. We need to do this reform.”
Reducing Costs and Streamlining Mandates
Macky Sall said one of his priorities would be to reduce spending and simplify the mandates of the United Nations.
He argued that the UN has accumulated more than 40,000 mandates since its creation.
“The UN is not able to even stop some mandates to make the evaluation and maybe to kill the mandate and to have something new,” Sall said.
He stressed that avoiding overlaps is essential:
“You have many organizations in the UN who do quite the same. We can avoid these overlapping mandates and optimize also with the people.”
According to Sall, reforming mandates would help the United Nations become more efficient, reduce costs, and make better use of its human resources.
Reforming Peacekeeping Operations
The former Senegalese president also criticized the cost and effectiveness of some UN peacekeeping operations.
“We, because I was in Africa, I saw how sometimes these peace operations are wasting money, and they have no efficiencies,” Sall said.
He called for a stronger focus on prevention rather than maintaining long and costly missions:
“We can really redefine the way this can be done, and we can optimize the budget and do more prevention to avoid crises.”
For Sall, the role of the Secretary-General should not be limited to administration. It should also include preventive diplomacy and close dialogue with Member States, especially members of the Security Council and the P5.
Terrorism and Irregular Migration
Macky Sall also said that the United Nations should do more to fight terrorism.
“For terrorism, it’s necessary,” he said. “I think the UN is doing some, but not enough.”
He argued that the UN should become the main global platform for cooperation against terrorism, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, but also around the world.
On migration, Sall said the international community must address the root causes of irregular migration:
“We should see how to keep people in their countries by giving opportunity and transforming the minerals and materials. It gives jobs and also adds value for those countries.”
According to him, creating economic opportunities in countries of origin would help prevent young people from taking dangerous irregular migration routes to Europe, the United States, or elsewhere.
He called for a global approach:
“It will not be us fighting only or alone against illegal migration. It will be a global fight, and we see how to organize this fight.”
Reducing Staff and Using Artificial Intelligence
Macky Sall also supported reducing administrative costs within the United Nations system.
“I totally agree that we can reduce the personnel, the people, the staff,” he said.
He suggested that some functions could be moved away from New York, where costs are particularly high, to other UN headquarters such as Nairobi or Bangkok.
He also said artificial intelligence could help make the Organization more efficient:
“Using AI, we can optimize what the UN is doing.”
According to Sall, AI could help harmonize procurement systems, payment systems, management platforms, and language services across different UN agencies.
He added that opening the books with Member States would make it possible to review spending chapter by chapter and identify where the Secretary-General could optimize costs.
A Call for Strong American Leadership
In conclusion, Macky Sall reaffirmed his conviction that the United States must remain at the heart of the multilateral system:
“President Trump must continue to exercise global leadership. The United States is the leading contributor and the foremost power. We must listen to its concerns.”
He added:
“With greater transparency, accountability, and evaluation of results, we will be able to know exactly how funds are spent and what impact they have in the fight against hunger, disease, conflict, and in support of development.”
According to him:
“President Trump must continue to play this leadership role. This is how he will leave a lasting mark not only on the United States, but also on the entire world.”