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Why the UN needs women in leadership
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says global leadership needs a different kind of leader.
“Sometimes when I see wars, I feel there’s too much testosterone over there,” she said. “Leaders put in front issues that are not the most important thing… it’s more about who wins.”
Bachelet called for “empathetic leadership,” which she described as the ability to put yourself in the shoes of the other to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation.
When asked if she would consider leading the UN herself, she confirmed: “I will run for Secretary-General.”
Bachelet spoke with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum panel "Updating the UN at 80: From Mandates to Impact," part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series with Microsoft.
Updating the UN at 80: A panel conversation from the 2025 Paris Peace Forum
As the UN reaches its 80th anniversary, pivotal questions arise: How can it evolve to address contemporary global challenges? What reforms are essential for maintaining its relevance?
At the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, GZERO Media's Tony Maciulis led a lively panel discussion on the urgent need for organizational reform. The conversation featured top UN officials and global partners reflecting on both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasizes the need for efficiency and transparency to rebuild trust in the UN, stating, "UN needs to be relevant so people can trust them."
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Executive Director of GWL Voices and former UN General Assembly President, calls for action on a "new financial compact," urging collaboration between public, private, and civil sectors to govern global commons effectively.
Marjeta Jager from the European Commission called for bold reforms: "We need to merge, sometimes cut, we need to do the system consolidation."
Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization, highlights China’s commitment to supporting multilateralism and stressed the role of peacekeeping.
With discussions of reform, the panel echoes the need for collective action to address global complexities, envisioning a future with a possible female Secretary-General for effective empathetic leadership.
The UN at 80: Reform, cuts & the future of multilateralism
The United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary under intense pressure: shrinking resources, deep geopolitical divisions, and global challenges left unresolved.
“The question is not whether the UN’s mandate is good ... it’s whether we are equipped, and whether the world is ready, to pursue it.”
UN Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder joins GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis from the sidelines of the 2025 UN General Assembly to discuss the UN80 initiative, which aims to streamline mandates, cut costs, and restore public trust.
This conversation is presented by GZERO in partnership with Microsoft, from the 2025 UN General Assembly. The Global Stage series convenes global leaders for critical conversations on the geopolitical and technological trends shaping our world.