The selection process for the next United Nations secretary-general is currently in progress. The new appointee, who will be the 10th secretary-general, is expected to be chosen between October and December of the current officeholder's final year and will take office on January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres. This selection is notable as it may result in the first female leader of the United Nations, with seven candidates in the running, four of whom are women.
The selection process is guided by Article 97 of the U.N. Charter, which states that the secretary-general shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. The process is complex and often takes over a year to complete. Candidates must be nominated by at least one U.N. member state and provide a vision statement, curriculum vitae, and campaign financing disclosures. They then participate in town halls and public dialogues to present their vision and answer questions from U.N. member states, staff, and civil society.
The Security Council conducts informal straw polls to gauge support for candidates before making a formal recommendation to the General Assembly. A candidate must receive at least nine votes from the fifteen-member council, with none of the five permanent members exercising a veto. If the General Assembly does not accept the recommendation, the process restarts with the Security Council.
The current candidates include Ivonne A-Baki, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Olara Otunnu, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, and Macky Sall, each presenting unique visions for the role. Experts emphasize that the next secretary-general will face significant challenges, including internal reforms, funding shortfalls, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. There is a growing consensus that a candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean may be favored due to informal regional rotation customs.
The U.N. has faced funding challenges, particularly with reduced contributions from the United States, which historically has been the largest donor. This financial strain complicates the organization's ability to address increasing global conflicts and the need for cooperative mechanisms. Experts suggest that the next secretary-general will need to navigate these complex issues while also addressing the changing geopolitical landscape.