Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and candidate to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, recently dropped by The Delegates Lounge podcast (technically, recorded in UNHQ's East Lounge). He was in New York for the start of the review conference of the parties to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT), which ended on May 22, 2026. The previous week, he'd had his turn in the SG race spotlight, answering questions posed by the world's diplomats here. During the weekend in between, he was in Ukraine to mark the 40th anniversary of the nuclear power plant meltdown in Chornobyl.

In a candid, exclusive half-hour interview, we spoke about a drone strike damaging Chornobyl's protective structure and other grave risks posed to nuclear safety. We pivoted to artificial intelligence governance and maritime security and discussed how his experience in his current role would impact his approach to these vital spheres of international security should he be elected as the 10th secretary-general, who will succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres in January.

This interview was recorded on April 29, 2026. Since then, a fifth candidate for secretary-general has joined the race.

Speakers:

J. Alex Tarquinio (host) is a resident correspondent at the United Nations in New York and co-founder of The Delegates Lounge® podcast. @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X and @thedelegateslounge on Instagram.

Rafael Grossi (guest) is an Argentine diplomat. He has been serving as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since December 2019. He was formerly the Argentine ambassador to Austria, concurrent with Slovenia, Slovakia and International Organizations based in Vienna, from 2013 to 2019. @rafaelmgrossi of @IAEAorg on X and @grossirafaelmariano of @iaeaorg on Instagram.

References:

Read our host’s analysis of the race for the next secretary-general of the United Nations in Foreign Policy at:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/22/un-secretary-general-race-guterres-candidate-questions-dialogues/

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, where you can watch episodes with photos, maps, and graphics, at:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheDelegatesLounge

Cover Photo Credit:

Rafael Grossi briefing reporters at UNHQ on October 27, 2022: UN Photo/Manuel Elías

From the office of the United Nations Security Council president, we sit down with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon to unpack how a small state navigates big political storms.

The conversation addresses Gaza’s fragile ceasefire and Russia's war in Ukraine—where her recent visit revealed the human cost of the war. The discussion delves into European defense resilience and the legal thicket around frozen Russian assets. We conclude with an analysis of the search for the next UN Secretary-General, who will take office next year. As the first woman to serve as Slovenia's foreign minister, our guest argues for more women in high office at the United Nations.

If this conversation sharpens your view of global diplomacy, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. Your feedback helps other curious listeners find their way to The Delegates Lounge.

Speakers:

J. Alex Tarquinio (host) is a resident correspondent at the United Nations in New York and co-founder of The Delegates Lounge podcast. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X and @thedelegateslounge on Instagram.

Tanja Fajon (guest) is the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign and European affairs for the Republic of Slovenia. @tfajon of @MZEZ_RS on X and @tanja.fajon of @MFEA_slovenia on Instagram.

References:

Our host mentioned her Foreign Policy article about Slovenia's successful campaign against Belarus for the seat on the Security Council reserved for Eastern Europe.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/06/09/belarus-slovenia-russia-united-nations-security-council-rotating-seat/

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Her recent FP article gives a sense of the challenges confronting the United Nations and the elected Security Council members.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/09/united-nations-trump-withdraws-budget-venezuela-world-order/

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Photo/Video Credits:

Photos and videos of Minister Fajon's foreign travels courtesy of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry

Videos in the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly; historical photos of the United Nations Conference on Interational Organization in San Franciso in 1945 : © United Nations

Photo from the high-level conference on Palestine: UN Photo/Manuel Elías; 22 September 2025; © United Nations

Photo of the European Parliament in Strasbourg: olrat - stock.adobe.com

Video of Brussels/European Union headquarters: © European Union

Video of the NATO headquarters in Brussels and of the NATO training operation with Ukrainian soldiers: © NATO

Photos and video within and looking out of the window of the Security Council President's office in December 2025 and of the arrival at the main entrance for the General Assembly in September 2025: © The Delegates Lounge LLC

All other photos and videos licensed from Adobe Stock

J. Alex Tarquinio, your host and a journalist based at the United Nations in New York, guides you through what to expect on the show. Launched in 2024 with her husband and executive producer, Frank Radford, the podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now in video on Instagram Reels and our new YouTube channel!

Comments or questions? Email us at info@thedelegateslounge.com.