Procedures for selecting the new UN Secretary-General and the candidates
The United Nations has officially begun the preliminary steps for selecting its next Secretary-General, the world's top diplomatic post. The winner will succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on December 31, 2026, and the tenth Secretary-General will officially take office on January 1, 2027. This step comes at a time when the world is facing complex geopolitical challenges that require wise leadership capable of uniting international efforts.
List of candidates for the position of the new Secretary-General of the United Nations
The international organization clarified that four prominent candidates have been put forward so far for this high-ranking position. The list includes figures of considerable political and diplomatic weight: Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former High Commissioner for Human Rights; Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebecca Greenspan of Costa Rica, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal. This geographical diversity reflects a clear desire among countries of the Global South to play a greater leadership role on the international stage.
Strategic importance and global impact of the position
The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer and senior diplomat of the organization. His primary responsibilities include leading the Secretariat and overseeing all its operations, as well as presenting critical issues that threaten international peace and security to the Security Council. The influence of this position extends beyond administration to include mediation and advocacy in international issues and crises. Internationally, the Secretary-General plays a pivotal role in guiding the global response to major challenges such as climate change, armed conflicts, and economic crises. Regionally and locally, his decisions and directives directly impact peacekeeping operations and the delivery of humanitarian aid to disaster-stricken areas, making him a voice for the vulnerable around the world.
Historical background and the United Nations Charter
Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, nine leaders have held this position, each leaving their own mark in addressing the crises of their time, from the Cold War era to the complexities of the new world order. According to Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, which comprises 193 member states, upon the direct recommendation of the Security Council. The candidate needs the support of a majority within the Council, with the crucial condition that none of the five permanent members vetoes the nomination.
Selection process and nomination timeline
The United Nations indicated that the actual selection process begins in November 2025, with formal invitations to member states to submit their nominations by April 1, 2026. Candidates will then participate in informal dialogue sessions at the General Assembly on April 21 and 22, 2026. This will be followed by closed sessions of the Security Council in late July 2026 to discuss and evaluate the candidates, with the General Assembly expected to formally endorse the appointment later that year. The process requires that each candidate be nominated by at least one state; self-nominations are not permitted, although additional nominations may be submitted after the deadline.
Power balances and the demands of women leadership
The selection process is characterized by informal rules and established diplomatic norms. A key norm is the exclusion of citizens of the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) from consideration for the position, in order to ensure impartiality. While there is no formal policy of regional rotation, this factor plays a role behind the scenes. In a notable development in recent years, there has been a growing international call for a woman to lead the organization for the first time in its history. Although this demand is not yet subject to any formally binding criteria, it constitutes both moral and political pressure. Ultimately, the final decision hinges on the degree of political consensus among the major powers in the Security Council.
