The election process for next United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) is currently underway to select a successor to António Guterres, whose second term concludes on 31 December 2026. Candidates are presenting their vision statements for 2027–2031 term, while formal selection is expected later in 2026 through a process involving recommendation by the Security Council and approval by the General Assembly.
Key Candidates (as of May 2026)
The following candidates have been formally nominated:
- Rafael Mariano Grossi: nominated by Argentina
- Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis: nominated by Costa Rica
- Macky Sall: nominated by Burundi
- Ivonne Baki: nominated by Lebanon
About UN Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is defined under the UN Charter as the Chief Administrative Officer of the UN. The officeholder:
- Oversees the functioning of the UN Secretariat
- Performs duties assigned by principal organs such as the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council
- Can bring issues threatening international peace and security to the Security Council’s attention
- Acts as the global organisation’s face and voice, often described as the world’s “chief diplomat”
- Has authority to appoint Personal Envoys for addressing major global conflicts
Established in 1945 with the founding of the UN, the role combines administrative leadership with diplomatic responsibility on global issues like climate change, inequality, and international security.
Term of Office
- The UN Charter does not fix a term, but since 1981, a convention of two five-year terms is followed
- The next Secretary-General will assume office on 1 January 2027
Qualifications
Candidates are typically high-ranking global figures, such as:
- Former Heads of State
- Leaders of international organisations
- Senior diplomats with global experience
Key Features of Election Process
- Regional Rotation: By convention, the post rotates among five regions. The current cycle is allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Appointment Mechanism:
- The United Nations Security Council recommends a candidate
- The United Nations General Assembly appoints the candidate
- P5 Veto Power: The five permanent members- China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States, can veto any candidate during the recommendation stage
- Straw Polls: Informal, closed-door voting rounds in the Security Council help shortlist candidates before the final recommendation, typically around October
- Final Confirmation: The General Assembly confirms the selected candidate through a simple majority vote