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. As of the moment of writing, seven candidates are being considered for the post.
On 5 September 2025, the UN General Assembly (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.
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.
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Subsequently, UN Member States nominated:
- Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina), nominated by Argentina on 26 November 2025;
- Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Chile), nominated by Chile, Brazil, and Mexico on 2 February 2026);
- Macky Sall (Senegal), nominated by Burundi on 2 March 2026;
- Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (Costa Rica), nominated by Costa Rica on 3 March 2026;
- Virginia Gamba (Argentina), nominated by Maldives on 11 March 2026 (candidacy withdrawn on 25 March 2026);
- María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador), nominated by Antigua and Barbuda on 11 May 2026;
- Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana), nominated by Guyana on 15 June 2026; and
- Olara Otunnu (Uganda), nominated by Uganda on 24 July 2026.
As part of the selection and appointment process, interactive dialogues, convened by UNGA President Annalena Baerbock, offer an opportunity for Member States and civil society to interrogate the candidates’ leadership abilities, experience, and skills for a strong and fit-for-the-future organization – and their views pertaining to the three pillars of the UN – peace and security, development, and human rights.
Michelle Bachelet Jeria, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, and Macky Sall engaged in interactive dialogues on 21 and 22 April. Interactive dialogues for María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett took place on 15 and 18 June 2026.
An interactive dialogue for Olara Otunnu will be held on 19 August 2026. His vision statement outlines an “age of hope and faith,” to be enabled by an agenda focused on the UN’s moral authority, UN reform, peace and security, “a new world economy,” environment and prosperity, and financing for development (FfD), among other issues.
Candidates nominated prior to 23 July 2026 participated in a town hall on 23 July to debate Member States and observers, civil society representatives, and UN staff.
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, undertake efforts to develop metrics that complement and go beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and launch negotiations on a post-2030 sustainable development agenda. [Selection and Appointment of the Next Secretary-General]