With the second term of the ninth UN Secretary-General António Guterres coming to an end on 31 December 2026, the process is underway to select and appoint his successor. President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock has circulated the timetable of the interactive dialogues with the candidates for the position of Secretary-General.

On 5 September 2025, the UNGA adopted a resolution on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, which outlines the process for the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General. Based on this and previous related resolutions, the process is guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity.

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A joint letter of the UNGA President and the President of the Security Council, dated 25 November 2025, formally initiated the selection process by inviting nominations from Member States and laying out the principles of the selection process.

Following this, individual Member States and groups of Member States nominated five candidates for the position, with each candidate providing a vision statement, curriculum vitae, and campaign financing disclosures. One candidacy (Virginia Gamba, nominated by Maldives) was subsequently withdrawn.

Argentina nominated Rafael Mariano Grossi on 26 November 2025. Currently serving as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in his vision statement, Grossi prioritizes: effective action for peace and security; development through realistic solutions and collaborative partnerships; human rights and human dignity as cornerstones of peace; modern management and institutional renewal; and principled, pragmatic multilateralism.

On 2 February 2026, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico nominated former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet Jeria, currently Vice President of Club de Madrid. Her vision statement prioritizes four strategic directions: institutional reform with purpose; reconnecting with people; reaffirming founding principles; and designing the future with collective vision and leadership.

Burundi nominated former President of Senegal Macky Sall on 2 March 2026. His vision is based on three pillars: forging a shared, integrated vision of peace, security, development, and prosperity; renewing and revitalizing multilateralism; and strengthening UN governance.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis was nominated by Costa Rica on 3 March 2026. Her vision statement highlights three priorities: refocusing on durable peace and security by building an “infrastructure for peace”; leading the UN to become “the partner of choice” by making it more useful, more agile, and more accountable; and building the future.

To give each candidate an opportunity to present his or her vision and to allow Member States to pose questions to and engage with the candidates, the UNGA President will organize an interactive dialogue for each individual.

According to a letter dated 15 April 2026, the interactive dialogues will be structured around two thematic segments:

• Proven leadership abilities, experience, and skills for a strong and fit-for-the-future organization; and
• The three pillars of the UN – peace and security, development, and human rights.

Civil society will be able to put questions to the candidates in each thematic segment.

In a letter dated 2 April 2026, the UNGA President circulated the schedule for the interactive dialogues, which will be held over the course of two days. Each interactive dialogue will last three hours. Michelle Bachelet Jeria and Rafael Mariano Grossi will engage with Member States and civil society on 21 April, followed by Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis and Macky Sall on 22 April. All four dialogues will be webcast.

The tenth Secretary-General will be appointed by the UNGA, on the recommendation of the Security Council, in accordance with Article 97 of the UN Charter. Assuming the role in January 2027, the newly appointed Secretary-General will serve a term of five years, which Member States can renew for an additional five years. While technically there is no limit to the number of five-year terms a Secretary-General may serve, none has held office for more than two terms. No woman has ever held the position of Secretary-General.

The new Secretary-General will lead the UN as Member States advance the UN80 reform initiative, efforts to develop metrics that complement and go beyond gross domestic product (GDP), and conversations on a post-2030 sustainable development agenda. [Selection and Appointment of the Next Secretary-General] [UN Information Service Vienna Story]