United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2011
Ownership
PassBlue is an independent, U.S.-based nonprofit digital publication covering the United Nations, founded in 2011 as a project of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the City University of New York. It later moved to The New School and now operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Institute for Nonprofit News, so it has no commercial owner.
Funding
It is supported by tax-deductible donations and philanthropic grants rather than advertising. Funders include the Carnegie Corporation of New York (a backer since 2013), the Open Society Foundations, the Pinkerton Foundation, the Wallace Global/Fox-type foundations and thousands of individual donors.
Affiliation & stance
PassBlue focuses on accountability reporting on the UN and global affairs with a center-left orientation, but it is not tied to any party, government or the UN itself. As a foundation- and donor-funded independent nonprofit with its own editorial control, it is classified INDEPENDENT (center-left).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 16
81/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
16
Articles
16
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Will Powerful Countries Back the UN Chief the World Needs?
The article discusses the ongoing search for the next United Nations Secretary-General, highlighting the disparity between the vision of the global community and the preferences of the five permanent members of the Security Council (P5). Binaifer Nowrojee, president of the Open Society Foundations, emphasizes the need for a bold and courageous leader who is willing to challenge powerful entities. The selection process involves multiple informal straw polls, with the P5 holding significant influence due to their veto power. While there are seven current candidates, some have withdrawn due to pressure from the P5, such as Michelle Bachelet of Chile, whose campaign faced resistance from U.S. officials over her pro-abortion stance. China's preference for a female secretary-general adds another layer of complexity to the selection process.
The Ebola Outbreak Shows That the World Is Not Ready for the Next Pandemic
The article discusses the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has resulted in over 3,700 deaths since May 2026. The situation is complicated by a humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict in the region. In contrast, Rwanda successfully managed a Marburg virus outbreak in 2024 through rapid response measures, including contact tracing, mass testing, and the use of an experimental vaccine. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a decline in Ebola cases in Ituri Province but noted a significant rise in North Kivu Province. Experts warn that the outbreak is evolving across multiple regions, and there remains a critical need for improved global preparedness and funding for pandemic response efforts.
Third Straw Poll for UN Secretary-General Race Shows No Consensus
PassBlue reports on the third secret straw poll conducted by the UN Security Council to select the next United Nations secretary-general. The poll, held on September 18, showed Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica leading with nine 'encourage' votes, though she also received five 'discourage' votes and one 'no opinion.' Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana was second with eight 'encourage' votes. The results remain confidential, and no final decision has been made. Grynspan needs to secure nine 'encourage' votes and avoid a veto from any of the five permanent Security Council members. The article notes that potential candidates like Rafael Grossi of Argentina and Uganda's Olara Otunnu also received significant support, highlighting the ongoing competition among contenders.
A Conversation With Hans Blix on a Global ‘Public Mind’ and Selecting the Next UN Leader
Hans Blix, a former Swedish diplomat and longtime UN official, discusses his philosophy of international civil service during an interview. Blix emphasizes the importance of impartiality, factual accuracy, and adherence to the UN Charter, particularly Article 100, which advocates for balanced consideration of all parties. He reflects on his career, including his role as chief inspector of UNMOVIC during the Iraq disarmament process, and shares insights on selecting the next UN Secretary-General, highlighting qualities like the ability to 'sleep well' and having a 'sense of humor.' The interview underscores his belief in the principles of fairness and justice, shaped both by personal experience and institutional norms.
France Gathers the Security Council to Try to Come to Grips With AI
On September 1, France's UN ambassador, Jérôme Bonnafont, outlined his country's agenda as rotating president of the UN Security Council, including discussions on using artificial intelligence for conflict resolution. The following day, France convened a closed-door meeting with Council members to explore AI applications in early warning and conflict management. Experts note that while AI presents opportunities, deep political divisions between Council members, particularly between Western nations and China/Russia, continue to hinder decision-making. These divisions were evident in disputes over the Council's program of work, with China and Russia opposing inclusion of Iran-related sanctions matters. The discussion highlights ongoing challenges in leveraging AI amid geopolitical tensions.
Paying Tribute to the UN Human Rights Special Rapporteurs
The article discusses recent controversy surrounding UN Secretary-General António Guterres' comments about UN special rapporteurs, which were interpreted as suggesting they are 'out of control.' His spokesperson clarified that the rapporteurs are independent and not under the control of the Secretariat. The piece explains that special rapporteurs are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, serving terms of three to six years. They work on both country-specific and thematic issues, often facing significant risks, including U.S. sanctions. Notably, Francesca Albanese, the rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, has been sanctioned since 2025. The article highlights the importance of these rapporteurs despite challenges and emphasizes their role in promoting human rights globally.
The Wikipedia Edits Shaping UN Secretary-General Candidates’ Public Records
A PassBlue investigation analyzed the English-language Wikipedia pages of eight UN Secretary-General candidates, revealing significant edits to their biographies over the past 20 months. These edits, which include additions and deletions of 'controversies' sections and warnings about promotional content, suggest active shaping of public personas during the election process. The study found 335 substantial edits across the candidates' profiles, focusing on aspects like criticism, professional credentials, and campaign-related descriptions. Experts note that maintaining accurate Wikipedia pages is crucial as AI tools increasingly rely on them for candidate research, giving individuals more control over their public image.
Being Serious About Peace
The article discusses the importance of peace and security within the United Nations, focusing on the role of the Secretary-General in mediating conflicts. It highlights historical examples where sustained UN engagement led to successful outcomes, such as the peaceful transition of East Timor to independence and Nepal's resolution of a decade-long civil war. The authors, former UN mediators, emphasize the need for patience and consistent UN involvement to build trust and enable effective mediation. They argue that the current competition for the position of Secretary-General should prioritize these principles, drawing on past successes to inform future approaches.
Choosing the Next UN Secretary-General Cannot Be Left to a Powerful Few
An article published by PassBlue discusses the upcoming selection of the next United Nations Secretary-General, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and democratic process. The piece highlights concerns over the current system where the UN Security Council, particularly its five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US), holds disproportionate influence over the selection process. The author, Graça Machel, a prominent advocate for peace and human rights, argues that this concentration of power undermines the principles of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. She calls on all 193 UN member states to take responsibility for ensuring a credible selection process that reflects global values and does not perpetuate historical inequalities. The article underscores the importance of rejecting candidates proposed by the Security Council if they lack the necessary qualities for the role.
Rodrigues Birkett and Otunnu Show Biggest Gains in UN SecGen Poll
The UN Security Council conducted a second informal straw poll for the upcoming UN Secretary-General election, revealing shifting dynamics among the eight candidates. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana took the lead with eight 'encourage' votes, while Ugandan candidate Olara Otunnu saw the largest percentage gain in support, doubling his 'encourage' votes since the previous poll. However, none of the candidates achieved the required nine 'yes' votes needed to secure the position. The results indicate ongoing uncertainty and lack of consensus among Council members, with no clear frontrunner emerging yet.
The Latest Two Nominees for UN Boss State Their Visions for the Organization
Two candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, Ivonne A-Baki and Olara Otunnu, presented their visions to UN member states during public dialogues in late August 2024. A-Baki, representing Tonga, emphasized direct engagement in conflict zones and reforming the Security Council to reflect global demographics, while Otunnu, backed by Uganda, focused on upholding the UN Charter and leveraging 'soft power' through institutional consensus. Both candidates engaged with the Security Council privately and addressed questions from member states and civil society. Their contrasting approaches highlighted differing strategies for revitalizing the UN's role in global governance.
Our Survey Results: Who Do You Want to Be the Next UN Secretary-General?
PassBlue conducted an informal survey asking its readers to choose their preferred candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General position. Out of approximately 1,500 respondents, Rebeca Grynspan received the most votes at 32%, followed by María Fernanda Espinosa with 23.4%, and Michelle Bachelet with 21.9%. The survey results, while not influencing the official selection process led by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, provide insight into public opinion of the seven candidates. The formal selection process includes multiple stages, including dialogues and straw polls, with further evaluations planned through August 2026.
Latin America and Caribbean: Women Leaders With a Plan to Revive Multilateralism
A public dialogue in Uruguay brought together three female candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana), to discuss strategies for revitalizing multilateralism. The event highlighted the diversity of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region in the candidate pool, which includes three women, and showcased their concrete plans for reforming the UN system. The dialogue, organized by Cepei, a Colombian-based think tank, emphasized the need for a more inclusive and effective UN that addresses contemporary challenges such as conflict, climate change, and institutional distrust. The discussion underscored the LAC region's historical commitment to multilateralism and its belief in rotating leadership to ensure broader representation.