The race to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres is under way, following the conclusion of the United Nations interactive dialogues held on 21 and 22 April at Headquarters in New York.
For the first time in ten years, the United Nations is preparing to appoint a new Secretary-General at a moment marked by geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts and growing pressure on multilateralism.
During the public dialogues, candidates presented their vision to the General Assembly and answered questions from Member States and civil society — a process designed to increase transparency and public engagement.
“At a time of growing challenges, the world needs the United Nations more than ever — and a Secretary-General capable of strong, principled and effective leadership,” said General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.
Who are the candidates for UN Secretary-General?
Four candidates have officially entered the race:
Michelle Bachelet
Former President of Chile and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She calls for a more efficient, results-oriented United Nations and stronger preventive diplomacy.
Rafael Grossi
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He advocates a United Nations that is more effective, streamlined and results-driven.
Rebeca Grynspan
Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. She promotes reform, including the use of data and artificial intelligence to anticipate crises.
Macky Sall
Former President of Senegal. He calls for a renewed focus on peace, pragmatism and respect for States’ sovereignty.
How is the UN Secretary-General selected?
The selection of the United Nations Secretary-General follows a multi-step process:
- Nomination: Candidates must be formally proposed by one or more Member States
- Vision statement: Each candidate outlines priorities for the role
- Interactive dialogues: Public sessions with Member States and civil society
- Security Council recommendation: At least nine votes, with no veto from permanent members
- General Assembly appointment: Majority support from the 193 Member States
The five permanent members of the Security Council — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — play a decisive role in the selection process.
Why this selection matters globally
“The choice of Secretary-General will show whether the United Nations reflects the diversity of the 8 billion people it serves,” said Annalena Baerbock, highlighting the importance of civil society participation.
The 2026 selection is also drawing attention to gender representation. If elected, candidates such as Michelle Bachelet or Rebeca Grynspan could become the first woman to serve as United Nations Secretary-General.
What happens next?
Following the public phase of the process, discussions will now move to the Security Council, where Member States will negotiate to identify a candidate capable of securing broad international support.
The final decision is expected later in 2026.
Frequently asked questions about the United Nations Secretary-General
Who chooses the United Nations Secretary-General?
The United Nations Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. In practice, the Security Council first agrees on a candidate — requiring at least nine votes and no veto from its five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States). The General Assembly then formally appoints the candidate by a majority of Member States.
Can a woman be United Nations Secretary-General?
Yes. There is no restriction on gender in the selection of the United Nations Secretary-General. Since the Organization’s founding in 1945, all Secretaries-General have been men. The current selection process has renewed calls from Member States and civil society for the appointment of the first woman to the post.
How long is the term of the United Nations Secretary-General?
The Secretary-General is appointed for a term of five years and may be reappointed for a second term. In practice, most Secretaries-General have served a maximum of two terms.
Additional links:
- Selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General (UN Website)
- Appointment of the Secretary-General – Selected Online Resources (UNRIC Backgrounder)