The “UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General” features six candidates seeking to serve as the next United Nations Secretary-General for a discussion on the future of the organization and global leadership. The event comes one week before the formal start of a selection process that is especially consequential for an organization facing significant global challenges. 

Organized by the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly with support from Bloomberg, the Town Hall features journalist-moderated conversations with the nominated candidates.

Nominees:

Rafael Mariano Grossi (nominated November 26, 2025)
Michelle Bachelet Jeria (nominated February 2, 2026)
Macky Sall (nominated March 2, 2026)
Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (nominated March 3, 2026)
María Fernanda Espinosa (nominated May 11, 2026)
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (nominated June 15, 2026)

The discussion marks an important milestone in the selection and appointment process and gives Member States, civil society representatives, UN staff and the public an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their visions for the future of the United Nations.
 
Watch the UN Town Hall on UN Web TV

By Tshimbombu Eric Wa Tshimbombu, UNA-Atlanta Member

The 2026 UNA-USA Advocacy Summit marked a personal milestone. It reminded me that the qualities we develop as children can become valuable tools for addressing global challenges. 

My commitment to advocacy began long before UNA-USA. As a child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), I stood up for my siblings and spoke out against injustice. At school that passion led me to become an attorney in the DRC, earn an LL.M. in the United States, become a Registered Georgia Mediator, and found a social legal organization and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) firm. For me, advocacy is not something I chose; it is a way of life.
 
Through the UNA-USA, I had the honor of representing Georgia and advocating before Members of the U.S. Congress on behalf of the United Nations. It was a profound responsibility to speak from experience and on behalf of billions of people whose lives are shaped by global peace, health, humanitarian assistance, and international cooperation. Our mission emphasized U.S. leadership and funding for the United Nations. My advocacy also highlighted the need for UN peacekeeping mandates and programs tailored to the realities of the countries they serve, with monitoring and engagement by the UN and the U.S. to achieve lasting outcomes.

Article 1 of the UN Charter establishes four fundamental purposes: maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation in solving global problems, and serving as the center for harmonizing the actions of nations toward these common goals.

My advocacy through the UNA-USA advances these objectives. Advocating for the United Nations is different from advocating for an individual, a community, or a nation because its impact extends across the world, benefiting millions I may never meet. Recognizing that humanity includes each of us means advocating for the world is also advocating for myself. That realization brings humility and purpose.
 
More than one hundred advocates came together for this mission. We came from different backgrounds, professions, and life experiences, but were united by one goal: advocacy. For two days, we embodied the spirit of Article 1(4) of the UN Charter by harmonizing our efforts in pursuit of peace, health, food security, innovation, and hope.

Today, the DRC continues to endure the deadliest conflict since World War II. The Middle East faces ongoing instability; Europe confronts uncertainty because of the war in Ukraine. Geopolitical competition continues to intensify across Asia, Americans are suspicious and distrustful of one another, and global security challenges continue. In this environment, diplomacy is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Diplomacy costs less than war, peacekeeping costs far less than military intervention, and preventing conflict costs far less than rebuilding nations after conflict. Investing in the United Nations is an investment in peace, stability, and our shared future. It was my honor to contribute to that purpose proudly.

On June 26, 1945, representatives of 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to sign one of the most consequential documents in human history — the United Nations Charter. Now 81 years old, the Charter remains the bedrock of international peace, human rights, and global cooperation.

This year, the Charter's anniversary arrives at a pivotal moment. The UN Charter is a survival guide for humanity — a promise born from the devastation of two world wars, and a commitment that the force of law must prevail over the law of force. Yet as UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned, geopolitical divides, violations of international law, and cuts in development and humanitarian aid are all shaking the foundations of global cooperation and testing the resilience of multilateralism itself. 

The Secretary-General's message is clear: the Charter is "not an à la carte menu, it is prix fixe." When leaders pick and choose which rules to follow, they are not only undermining global order, but they are also setting a perilous precedent. 
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At UNA-Atlanta, we believe the Charter's promise is worth fighting for. Watch UN Secretary-General Guterres' powerful message on the Charter at 81 in the video below — then take action by urging your members of Congress to fully fund the United Nations. 

This week, June 22–26, 2026, marks a truly historic milestone: the very first UN Peacebuilding Week, established by twin resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council as part of the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. For UNA-Atlanta, this is a moment worth celebrating — and a moment to act.

Peacebuilding Week coincides with the 20th anniversary of the inaugural session of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in June 2006 and the inception that year of the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund — two decades of collective effort to prevent conflict and build lasting peace around the world. 

The first-ever UN Peacebuilding Week offers an inclusive space for local, national and international champions to celebrate peacebuilding's achievements and to look ahead to a new generation of efforts. This year's theme is "UN Peacebuilding @20 – Partnerships for Innovation, Inclusion and Impact," aiming to convene a broad spectrum of partners from government, civil society, youth-led organizations, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector. 

Why This Matters for Atlanta — and for All of Us
Peacebuilding is not just something that happens in distant conflict zones. It is the steady, determined work of preventing war, protecting civilians, strengthening institutions, and giving communities the tools to resolve differences without violence. When the UN's peacebuilding efforts are funded and supported, lives are saved, stability is restored, and the conditions for human dignity and development are created.

Yet at this very moment, U.S. funding for the United Nations — including peacekeeping and peacebuilding initiatives — is under threat. Congress holds the power to determine whether America upholds its commitments to the international institutions that keep the peace.

Take Action: Tell Congress to Invest in the UN
In the spirit of Peacebuilding Week, UNA-Atlanta is calling on our members and supporters to take a direct advocacy action. UNA-USA is urging Americans to tell Congress to invest in the UN for FY'27. Fully funding the UN is one of the most powerful things the United States can do to support peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and global stability.

It takes just a few minutes to contact your representatives. Please click the link below to send a message to your members of Congress today:

Tell Congress to Fully Fund the UN

Peace doesn't happen by accident. It is built through commitment, partnership, and the political will to invest in a world where conflict gives way to cooperation. This Peacebuilding Week, let's make our voices heard.

For more details on events and activities happening this week at the United Nations, visit the official UN Peacebuilding Week 2026 page.

Right now, Atlanta is on the world stage. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and our city is hosting eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (officially "Atlanta Stadium" during the World Cup) — including a semifinal — making Atlanta one of the most prominent venues in this historic tournament spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For fans, it is a celebration of skill, passion, and friendly competition. For UNA-Atlanta, it is something more: a living demonstration of the values at the heart of the United Nations and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Atlanta Welcomes the World
Atlanta is welcoming players and supporters from across the globe, bringing together nations that may share little beyond a love of the game — soccer, or football as the rest of the world calls it. That, of course, is precisely the point. The United Nations has long recognized sport as "a powerful vehicle to advance peace, tolerance, and understanding" — and no sporting event embodies that spirit quite like the World Cup, where 48 nations compete and billions watch as one.

Sport and the Sustainable Development Goals
The connections between soccer and the UN's 2030 Agenda run deeper than the opening ceremony. Consider how this tournament touches several of the 17 SDGs:

• SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities: The World Cup draws players from every economic background and every corner of the world. The pitch is one of the few arenas where a nation of millions can stand equal to a superpower.
• SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities: Atlanta has invested in accessible transportation, inclusive public spaces, and community programming around the tournament — each a step toward building a more sustainable and welcoming city.
• SDG 16 — Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: FIFA's founding ideal — that nations can compete fiercely and then shake hands — is itself a model of peaceful coexistence. For ninety minutes, rivals become neighbors.
• SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals: Hosting a World Cup is inherently multilateral. It requires international cooperation, shared standards, and a commitment to a common set of rules that every nation agrees to honor.

The Deeper Meaning of the Beautiful Game
The UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace has documented how sport reduces barriers, promotes gender equality, supports youth development, and builds social cohesion in communities recovering from conflict. Football, played in every country on earth with nothing more than a ball and open ground, is perhaps the purest expression of that truth.

When a child in Atlanta watches a player from Spain, Morocco, or Uzbekistan compete on their home turf, something quiet but important happens: the world gets a little smaller, and a little less foreign. That sense of shared humanity — of rooting for something together — is the seed from which lasting peace grows.

An Invitation to Engage
UNA-Atlanta encourages our community to experience the World Cup not only as spectators, but as global citizens. And the good news is that you don't need a stadium ticket to be part of it.

Centennial Olympic Park will serve as FIFA's official Fan Festival hub here in Atlanta, running for 18 days beginning June 11. Admission is free — simply register in advance (up to six tickets per person) — and the festival offers live match broadcasts on big screens, food, and live music performances from Atlanta favorites. It is, in many ways, the most democratic version of the World Cup: open to all, rooted in community, and held in a park that Atlanta has shared with the world since 1996.

Whether you join the crowd at Centennial Park, host a neighborhood watch party, or simply strike up a conversation with a visitor from another country, there is a place for every Atlantan in this moment. And when the tournament is over, carry that spirit forward — in advocacy, in education, and in the daily work of building the more peaceful and equitable world the UN Charter envisions.
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The beautiful game reminds us that when we play by the same rules and respect one another across every difference, we all win. 

As a community chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), UNA-Atlanta is pleased to share that Faith Akovi Cooper has been named the next Executive Director of UNA-USA.

Cooper brings more than 20 years of experience leading work in humanitarian assistance, international development, global health, and community engagement. Her career has focused on building partnerships, strengthening programs, and advancing solutions that support communities in the United States and around the world.

Most recently, Cooper led national community engagement strategy for the International Rescue Committee, where she worked with diverse communities, partners, and stakeholders across the country.

We look forward to her leadership and vision as UNA-USA continues its mission to strengthen U.S. support for the United Nations and global cooperation.

Watch the video above to learn more about Cooper's background, priorities, and vision for UNA-USA.

Join UNA-Atlanta for our Annual Membership Meeting as we celebrate our accomplishments, share chapter updates, connect with fellow advocates, and look ahead to the upcoming year.

This evening of reflection, vision, and community is an opportunity for members and supporters to help shape UNA-Atlanta’s continued impact.
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Admission is free, but advance registration is requested.

Each year on June 5, people around the world come together to celebrate World Environment Day, the United Nations’ flagship day for encouraging awareness and action to protect our planet. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 and observed since 1973, World Environment Day has grown into one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach and engagement.

As environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion continue to affect communities worldwide, World Environment Day reminds us that everyone has a role to play in building a healthier, more sustainable future. Whether through conservation efforts, reducing waste, supporting clean energy, or advocating for environmental justice, individual and collective actions can make a meaningful difference.

UNA-Atlanta joins the United Nations community in recognizing this important day and encouraging our members and partners to take action in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on climate action, life below water, and life on land.

To learn more about World Environment Day and discover ways to get involved, visit the official United Nations observance page.

By Tracy Gray, President, UNA-USA, Atlanta Chapter

The life and legacy of Ted Turner stand as a remarkable testament to the power of vision paired with bold action. Through his leadership and generosity, Turner reshaped global philanthropy, most notably with his unprecedented $1 billion commitment to support the work of the United Nations and to strengthen the United Nations Association of the United States of America. 

This transformational gift not only launched critical initiatives but also inspired a new era of civic engagement in our Atlanta Chapter and worldwide, empowering everyday citizens to connect with global goals and multilateral cooperation.

Turner believed that individuals could play a meaningful role in advancing peace, human rights, and sustainable development. His investment in UNA-USA created a platform for education, advocacy, and grassroots action that continues to influence communities across the nation.

As we reflect on his passing today at age 87, we honor not only his achievements but also his enduring spirit of generosity and courage. The United Nations Association, Atlanta Chapter, Board and members extend heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Turner family and his many friends. 

His legacy will continue to guide and inspire future generations committed to building a more just and peaceful world.