The Delegates Lounge

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 [email protected].

Want to watch the episode? Check out our video interview on our NEW YouTube channel!
While in New York for the 80th Session of the General Assembly, Estonia’s foreign minister sat down with The Delegates Lounge podcast at Estonia's Mission to the United Nations. He had recently addressed an emergency session of the UN Security Council on the threats of Russia's air incursions into NATO airspace.
Our conversation examines what deterrence looks like when Moscow tests the line. From NATO's Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry Operations to Article 4 consultations, we delve into the developments set in motion by the Kremlin's recent incursions into NATO airspace on the eve of the gathering of more than 150 heads of state and government for the General Assembly in New York.

The conversation goes beyond immediate threats to NATO countries to the problem of paying for the long war that Russia is waging on Ukraine. Estonia makes the case for using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, paired with tighter sanctions that strike at Russia’s war economy. The conversation also confronts the challenges facing the United Nations itself, as the organization struggles with a fiscal crisis and uncertainty over its sense of purpose.

If this episode resonates with you, be sure to follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. It will help others who share your interests find their way to The Delegates Lounge podcast.
Speakers:

J. Alex Tarquinio (host). @alextarquinio of delegateslounge on X, formerly known as Twitter. 
Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (guest). @Tsahkna of @MFAestonia on X, formerly known as Twitter. 
References:

Alex, our podcast host, wrote the United Nations General Assembly curtain raiser for Foreign Policy. Here's a free gift link to the article.

Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Toiu sat down with The Delegates Lounge podcast on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. From an official Romanian office overlooking the East River, she spoke candidly about Eastern European security and the calculations that went into Romania's decision making when a Russian drone recently transited their territorial airspace for around 50 minutes.
The UN General Assembly has now officially begun its 80th session. The high-level week began with a conference on recognizing Palestine, with several countries doing so for the first time. Romania, however, was among the first European countries to do so. The minister was clear on two points: Hostage release should be the first principle; and Hamas has no political future. At the same time, she said, the humanitarian emergency demands action and a horizon toward a two‑state solution. 
Finally, we discussed the malaise at the United Nations, from a fiscal crisis to the search for the next secretary-general. She makes a serious case for an Eastern European secretary‑general after eight decades without one.

If you value strategic clarity over sound bites, press play. Then subscribe, share with a friend who follows world affairs, and leave a review to help others 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. @alextarquinio of @delegateslounge on X and @thedelegateslounge on Instagram.
Oana Toiu (guest) is the foreign minister of Romania. @oana_toiu of @MAERomania on X and @oana_toiu of @mfaromania on Instagram.
References:

Our podcast host, J. Alex Tarquinio, covered the United Nations high-level week for Foreign Policy. Here's a gift link to the coverage.