The UN has formally initiated nominations for the next Secretary‑General, with leading contenders already announced and calls for gender balance and regional diversity growing.
NEW YORK: The United Nations has officially launched the process to elect its next Secretary‑General, as member states were invited to submit nominations for the role that becomes vacant on January 1, 2027 when current leader António Guterres steps down.
In the joint invitation letter from the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, states are encouraged to consider candidates from under-represented demographics — including women — and to ensure regional representation.
So far, publicly declared candidates include Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Rafael Grossi of Argentina.
The selection process will continue with a secret poll in the Security Council to shortlist candidates — including review by its five permanent veto‑holding members. The chosen candidate will then be recommended to the General Assembly for approval, per the UN Charter.
This marks the beginning of what could be the most watched leadership transition at the UN — with global interest high in who will steer the world body through its next mandate.
