Overview
- On February 2, 2026, the three governments formally filed Bachelet’s candidacy with the United Nations, according to their joint communiqué.
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly endorsed the bid, Chile’s Gabriel Boric confirmed the registration with Mexico as co-sponsor, and Bachelet said she accepted the responsibility.
- The sponsors present the nomination as advancing gender and regional representation and as a commitment to reinvigorating multilateral cooperation.
- Bachelet’s record includes two terms as Chile’s president, founding leadership of UN Women, and service as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
- She joins a field that includes Rebeca Grynspan, Alicia Bárcena, Mia Mottley and Rafael Grossi, with the selection process ongoing before António Guterres leaves office on December 31, 2026.