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2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection

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2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection
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Incumbent Secretary-General

António Guterres


A United Nations Secretary-General selection is currently being held to choose the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.[1] The current Secretary-General, António Guterres of Portugal, will complete his second term on 31 December 2026.[2]

Campaign

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The selection process is governed by Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations and by United Nations General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 79/327 of 5 September 2025.[3] The process formally began on 25 November 2025 with a letter from the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, and the President of the Security Council, Michael Imran Kanu, inviting Member States to nominate candidates.[4] Nominations are announced jointly by the General Assembly and the Security Council.[1]

Interactive dialogues between the nominated candidates and Member States were held in April and June 2026 and were broadcast live on UN Web TV. A town hall meeting with six of the official candidates, hosted by Bloomberg, took place on 23 July and was also broadcast online.[1][5] The fifteen members of the Security Council began considering the candidates in July, and are expected to submit a recommendation to the General Assembly later in the year.[6][7] They held the first of several closed-door, anonymous "straw poll" votes on their preferences on 30 July,[8][9] followed by further polls on 21 August, 18 and 29 September, and 7 October.[10][11][12] The next poll may take place on 16 October.[13]

Under an unwritten customary rule whereby the office of Secretary-General rotates among the organization's five regional groups, a candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) is strongly favoured.[14][15]

Candidates

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Registered candidates

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Nine candidates have been formally nominated by Member States, two of whom subsequently withdrew their candidacies.[1]

PhotoCandidateNominatorNominatedRegional GroupPrior experienceCitations
Ivonne Baki
(Ecuador)		 Tonga 17 August 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United States (1998–2002; 2020–2024)
Ecuadorian Ambassador to Qatar (2017–2020)
Minister of Foreign Trade of Ecuador (2003–2005)
Ecuadorian Ambassador to France (2024)		 [16][17]
María Fernanda Espinosa
(Ecuador)		 Antigua and Barbuda 12 May 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group President of the 73rd UN General Assembly
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2017–2018)
Minister of National Defence of Ecuador (2012–2014)		 [18][19]
Rafael Grossi
(Argentina/Italy)		 Argentina 22 December 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Group Argentine Ambassador to Austria (2013–2019)
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (2019–present)		 [20]
Rebeca Grynspan
(Costa Rica)		 Costa Rica 3 March 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Second Vice President of Costa Rica (1994–1998)
Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (2014–2021)
Secretary-General of UNCTAD (2021–present)		 [21]
Olara Otunnu
(Uganda)		 Uganda 25 July 2026 African Group Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations (1980–1985)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda (1985–1986)
President of the International Peace Academy (1990–1998)
Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict (1997–2005)
 [22]
Rodrigues Birkett in 2011 Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett
(Guyana)		 Guyana 15 June 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Minister of Amerindian Affairs of Guyana (2001–2008)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana (2008–2015)
Director at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (2017–2020)
Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations (2020–present)		 [23]
Macky Sall
(Senegal)		 Burundi 2 March 2026 African Group President of Senegal (2012–2024)
Chairperson of the African Union (2022–2023)
Prime Minister of Senegal (2004–2007)
Special Envoy for the Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P) (2024)		 [24]

Withdrawn

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PhotoCandidateNominatorNominatedWithdrewRegional GroupPrior experienceCitations
Michelle Bachelet Brazil[a]
Mexico[a]		 2 February 2026 19 September 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group President of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–2022)
Executive director of UN Women (2010–2013)		 [25][26][27]
Headshot of Virginia Gamba Virginia Gamba
(Argentina)		 Maldives 11 March 2026 25 March 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Prevention of Genocide and Hate Speech (acting) (2024–2025)
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (2017–2025)
Director of the Office of Disarmament Affairs (2012–2015)		 [28][29]

Expressed interest

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Before the formal start of the process and during the initial months, several individuals expressed an interest in the role but no formal candidacies have been received.

Speculated

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Press speculation about possible candidates, mostly before the formal process commenced, included such names as Jacinda Ardern, Alicia Bárcena, Kristalina Georgieva, Vuk Jeremić, Amina J. Mohammed, Mia Mottley, Kevin Rudd, Juan Manuel Santos and Achim Steiner.[33][39][40][41][42][43][44] Santos and Mohammed both ruled themselves out, with Santos saying he preferred a woman candidate, and Mohammed favouring a female candidate from Latin America or the Caribbean.[33]

Endorsements

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Michelle Bachelet (withdrawn)
Nations
Rafael Grossi
Nations

Security Council straw polls

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The Security Council is holding a series of straw polls, in which its members[c] are asked to indicate whether they "encourage", "discourage" or have "no opinion" regarding the candidates. During the first rounds of the polls, all ballots were identical; in future rounds, ballots from the five permanent members will be marked to identify potential vetoes.[54]

2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection straw poll results
Candidate 30 July[54] 21 August[11] 18 September[55] 29 September[11] 7 October[11]
E D N E D N E D N E D N E D N
Chile Michelle Bachelet 6542671113Withdrawn
Ecuador Ivonne Baki Not yet nominated087010511130141
Ecuador María Fernanda Espinosa 5284383663102393
Argentina Rafael Grossi 726762582870672
Costa Rica Rebeca Grynspan 10147 449511032960
Uganda Olara Otunnu 2585555735823120
Guyana Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett 924834861861591
Senegal Macky Sall 6726 725915915100
Candidate received at least one "encouraged" from a veto-wielding P5 member
Candidate received at least one "discouraged" from a veto-wielding P5 member

Notes

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  1. 1 2 This person was nominated by multiple countries.
  2. ↑ Michelle Bachelet was jointly nominated in February 2026 by the governments of Brazil, Mexico and her home country, Chile, during the presidency of Gabriel Boric.[45] However, on 24 March 2026, new Chilean president José Antonio Kast announced that his government would withdraw its support for Bachelet's candidacy.[46]
  3. ↑ The Security Council comprises China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States (the five permanent members), together with ten non-permanent members on rotation: currently, Bahrain, Colombia, DR Congo, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.[53]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 United Nations, Selection and Appointment of the Next Secretary-General. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Samarasinghe, Natalie (2021-06-16). "Opinion: The road to the 2026 UN secretary-general race begins now". Devex. Archived from the original on 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  3. ↑ United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/327 of 5 September 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  4. ↑ United Nations, Letter dated 25 November 2025 from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council addressed to all Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  5. ↑ News Room, "Guyana's Rodrigues-Birkett tops UN town hall poll ahead of secretary-general selection", 23 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Letter dated 29 May 2026 from the President of the Security Council to the President of the General Assembly. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  7. ↑ France 24, "UN leadership candidates outline visions ahead of secretary-general race", 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  8. ↑ France 24, "Selection process for next UN chief under way", 30 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (9 August 2026). "Costa Rican diplomat emerges as strong contender to be first female head of UN". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Denmark targets August 21 for second Security Council UN chief poll". Reuters. 3 August 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Results of Security Council straw poll 2 | 21 August 2026". 1for8billion.org. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "UN Security Council straw polls". 1for8billion.org. 18 September 2026. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Banjo, Damilola (7 October 2026). "Big Shakeup in Latest Security Council Votes on UN SecGen Race". Pass Blue.
  14. ↑ "Sall's chances at UN secretary-general role weakened after first vote". Radio France Internationale. 9 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Who will become the next UN secretary-general?". Radio Télévision Luxembourg. 11 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Ivonne A-Baki" (PDF). United Nations. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Ecuadorean diplomat nominated as candidate to lead UN". Reuters. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Ecuador's Espinosa joins battle to lead United Nations". Reuters. 12 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Former Ecuadoran top diplomat enters race for UN chief". France 24. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Rafael Mariano Grossi by Argentina [A/80/549-S/2025/775]" (PDF). United Nations. 26 November 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  21. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis by Costa Rica [A/80/666-S/2026/124]" (PDF). United Nations. 3 March 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  22. ↑ Brunnstrom, David (26 July 2026). "Ugandan diplomat Otunnu joins race to become next UN head". Reuters. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett by Guyana [A/80/764-S/2026/498]" (PDF). United Nations. 15 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Macky Sall by Burundi [A/80/662 - S/2026/123]" (PDF). United Nations. 2 March 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  25. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Michelle Bachelet Jeria by Chile, Brazil, and Mexico [A/80/616-S/2026/56]" (PDF). United Nations. 2 February 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  26. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the withdrawal of nomination of Michelle Bachelet Jeria by Chile [A/80/694-S/2026/226]" (PDF). United Nations. 25 March 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  27. ↑ "Chile's Bachelet quits race to be next UN chief". AFP. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  28. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Virginia Gamba by the Maldives [A/80/671-S/2026/168]" (PDF). United Nations. 11 March 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Joint letter regarding the withdrawal of nomination of Virginia Gamba by the Maldives [A/80/695-S/2026/236]" (PDF). United Nations. 25 March 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 May 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "Një OKB për 'mbijetesën' e njerëzimit – aktivistja Cahen-Salvador shpall kandidaturën për Sekretare të Përgjithshme" [A UN for the 'survival' of humanity – activist Cahen-Salvador announces candidacy for Secretary-General]. Albanian Post (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  31. ↑ PassBlue (1 November 2025). "Results of PassBlue's Survey: 'Vote for the Next UN Secretary-General'". PassBlue. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  32. ↑ "Making the UN Personal with Colombe Cahen-Salvador". Boston University College of General Studies. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 "Rumoured potential candidates". 1 for 8 Billion. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  34. ↑ Dávalos, Gabriela Keseberg; Donaldson, Ben (8 May 2025). "Bolivia Jumps the Gun With Early Candidate for UN Secretary-General". PassBlue. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  35. ↑ "Bolivian VP nominated for UN top position". MercoPress. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  36. ↑ "Global Candidate Bruno Donat runs for UN Secretary-General: Official conducted hunger strike for Gaza children". CBS 42. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2026. [dead link]
  37. ↑ Ginzo, Julián (19 October 2025). "Planning a UN Revolution". They Said So. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  38. ↑ Nedos, Vassilis (2026-09-30). "Ankara pushes Turkish veteran diplomat Sinirlioglu for top UN post | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  39. ↑ Fillion, Stephanie (29 September 2023). "Analysis: Who could lead the United Nations next? This Caribbean climate leader makes diplomats 'jump' with excitement". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  40. ↑ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (22 April 2024). "Africa: Who Should Be the Next UN Leader? – Part 1". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  41. ↑ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (22 April 2024). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? – Part 2". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  42. ↑ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (22 April 2024). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? – Part 3". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  43. ↑ "Un candidato argentino para presidir la ONU" [An Argentine candidate to lead the UN]. La Nación (in Spanish). Inter Press Service. Archived from the original on 14 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  44. ↑ Knott, Matthew (27 January 2026). "Kevin Rudd tried before for the UN's top job. Two obstacles stand in the way of another go". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  45. ↑ "Con el respaldo de Brasil y México: Presidente Boric inscribió candidatura de Michelle Bachelet a la ONU". 24horas (in Spanish). 2 February 2026.
  46. ↑ "El Gobierno de Kast no apoyará la candidatura de Bachelet a la ONU". Cooperativa (in Spanish). 24 March 2026. Archived from the original on 25 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  47. ↑ Lula da Silva [@LulaOficial] (February 2, 2026). "É com muita honra que o Brasil apoia a candidatura de @mbachelet à Secretária-Geral da ONU. Em oito décadas de história, é hora de a organização finalmente ser comandada por uma mulher" (Tweet) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retweeted by Gabriel Boric – via X (formerly Twitter).
  48. ↑ "México, Brasil y Chile oficializan la candidatura de Michelle Bachelet para la Secretaría General de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas". Gobierno de México (in Spanish).
  49. ↑ "Presidente Petro anuncia respaldo a Michelle Bachelet para liderar la ONU". Presidencia de Colombia (in Spanish).
  50. ↑ "El Gobierno presentó formalmente la candidatura de Rafael Grossi para conducir la ONU". Infobae (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-12-22. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  51. ↑ Piqué, Elisabetta. "Italia respalda la candidatura de Rafael Grossi como secretario general de la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-12-22. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
  52. ↑ "Paraguay expresó su apoyo a la candidatura de Grossi para la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-12-05. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  53. ↑ "Current Members". Security Council. United Nations. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  54. 1 2 Brunnstrom, David; Nichols, Michelle; Farge, Emma (30 July 2026). "Informal poll shows Costa Rica's Grynspan ahead in race to be next UN chief". Reuters. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  55. ↑ Nichols, Michelle; Brunnstrom, David; Le Poidevin, Olivia (18 September 2026). "Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly leads informal UN chief poll, sources say". Reuters.
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