How the UN chooses its secretary general

The race to succeed António Guterres as the next leader of the United Nations has is taking shape, with a streamlined field of candidates and a more transparent selection process.

With Guterres’ second term set to end on December 31, the UN is now deep into the process of identifying its next secretary general, who will assume office on January 1 next year.

While the procedure is rooted in longstanding provisions of the UN Charter, recent reforms have significantly opened up what was once a largely opaque process.

At the heart of the selection is Article 97 of the UN Charter, which states that the secretary general is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

However, how that recommendation is reached has evolved, particularly since reforms introduced over the past decade aimed at improving transparency and inclusivity.

“The process of appointing and selecting the next secretary general is based on General Assembly resolutions and guided by principles of transparency and inclusivity,” the UN emphasised in outlining the current framework.

The latest phase of the process was formally triggered on November 25 last year when the president of the General Assembly and the president of the Security Council issued a joint letter to all member states.

The communication invited nominations and laid out the roadmap for the selection process, including key milestones and expectations for candidates.

Under the established guidelines, candidates must be nominated by at least one UN member state though not necessarily their country of origin.

Each nominee is required to submit a comprehensive package that includes a vision statement, curriculum vitae and disclosures related to campaign financing.

“The joint letter… invites nominations from member states and outlines the principles of the selection process and notional events,” the UN said.

As nominations are received, the presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council jointly notify member states and maintain a publicly accessible list of candidates.

This list includes detailed profiles, allowing governments and the public alike to scrutinise those vying for the world’s top diplomatic post.

A key innovation in the modern selection process is the use of public “interactive dialogues,” where candidates present their vision and answer questions from member states.

These sessions, which are webcast live, offer a rare window into the personalities and priorities of the contenders.

On April 21 and 22, the current crop of candidates is scheduled to participate in such dialogues, broadcast on UN WebTV.

“The President of the General Assembly will convene webcast interactive dialogues with all candidates,” the UN confirmed, adding that the sessions are designed to foster open engagement with member states.

As of April, four candidates have officially entered the race: Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Macky Sall of Senegal.

Their backgrounds reflect a mix of political leadership and international experience.

Bachelet is a former President of Chile and served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Grossi currently heads the International Atomic Energy Agency. Grynspan leads the UN Conference on Trade and Development, while Sall is the former president of Senegal.

Despite the relatively small field, UN observers note that additional candidates could still emerge.

“There is no time limit for nominations,” officials point out, although historical precedent suggests the field tends to solidify before the decisive stages begin.

Once the informal dialogues conclude, attention will shift to the Security Council, where the real power dynamics come into play.

The council conducts a series of informal “straw polls” to gauge support for each candidate. These polls are crucial in determining viability, particularly given the veto power held by the five permanent members-China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While the straw polls are not officially public, they serve as a de facto filtering mechanism.

Candidates who fail to gain traction or face opposition from permanent members typically withdraw, narrowing the field to a consensus choice.

“The final recommendation is made by the Security Council and appointment by the General Assembly,” the UN reiterated.

The General Assembly’s role, though often seen as more procedural, is nonetheless essential. Once the Security Council agrees on a candidate, the Assembly votes to formally appoint the Secretary-General, usually by acclamation.

The current process marks a significant departure from earlier eras when selections were conducted largely behind closed doors. The reforms-codified in resolutions such as 79/327 adopted in September 2025-build on earlier changes that first introduced public candidate presentations in 2016.

That year’s contest, which ultimately saw Guterres emerge victorious, featured 13 candidates and intense global interest, including strong advocacy for the appointment of the first female Secretary-General.

Seven women were among the contenders, and the open dialogues were widely credited with improving transparency.

In contrast, the 2026 race has so far drawn only four candidates, suggesting either a more consolidated field or a shift in political dynamics within the UN system.

As the candidates prepare for their upcoming dialogues, they are expected to face tough questions on global crises, institutional reform, and their vision for the future of the UN.

Issues such as conflict resolution, climate change, and economic inequality are likely to dominate discussions.

Ultimately, while the process has become more open, the outcome still hinges on complex geopolitical considerations within the Security Council. Balancing regional representation, political acceptability, and leadership credentials remains a delicate task.