Since the United Nations was founded after World War II, all nine UN chiefs have been men, although many countries have advocated for the appointment of a woman.

In 2016, despite several female candidates, Antonio Guterres of Portugal won the race.

“If I am polite, I would say the world was not prepared for it. Is it prepared now? I hope so,” Bachelet, 74, told reporters after a three-hour hearing before member states.

“It will be a very good signal,” she said. “It could get hope for many people.”

In a world ravaged by wars, the candidate pleaded with member states to rebuild trust in the UN, particularly by continuing the organisation’s reform amid a political and financial crisis.

She also advocated for a secretary-general who would be “present in the field,” somebody “who has the moral voice” and a “diplomatic stature that can be heard” by powerful states.

While distrust of the UN is often illustrated by the Security Council’s paralysis on many pressing issues, she acknowledged that she had no “magic formula” to change things.

“I don’t have a magic potion that I can give to member states” – especially, she said, the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council – so that “everybody’s friends.”

Three other candidates – Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Senegal’s Macky Sall – will be interviewed by member states on Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to secure what General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described as “one of the toughest jobs in the world.”

When asked what makes her the best candidate to succeed Guterres on Jan 1, 2027, Bachelet emphasised her “extensive experience.” As for questions about her age, she said, “I have accumulative youth.”