HAMILTON, Canada 

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Wednesday confirmed his candidacy for the position of UN secretary-general, which is expected to be held in 2026.

"I will be a candidate for the position of Secretary General. It's not a secret, and I think it shouldn't be," Grossi told reporters during a news conference held at UN headquarters in New York.

Saying that such candidacy would not affect his current role, Grossi stressed that he is ready to discuss such concerns "with anybody."

"What I do at the head of the IAEA speaks more than words and visions and promises and ideas that I could have as to how good a secretary-general could be," he added.