United Nations Prepares to Elect New Secretary-General in 2027

The United Nations is set to appoint its 10th secretary-general in the upcoming year, with the new leader's term commencing on January 1, 2027. The nomination and selection process officially began after the Security Council and the General Assembly president issued a joint call for candidates from member states.

Traditionally, the secretary-generalship rotates among regional groups. Although Eastern Europe was designated for the 2016 appointment of António Guterres from Portugal, Latin America is next in line. However, diplomats anticipate that contenders may come from other global regions.

Several candidates have publicly declared their intentions:

• Michelle Bachelet (Chile): Former Chilean president and ex-U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet was nominated by Chile's current president, Gabriel Boric. Bachelet brings extensive U.N. experience, including leadership of U.N. Women.

• Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica): Nominated by President Rodrigo Chaves, the former Costa Rican vice president is currently heading the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and is recognized for her background in economics and politics.

• Rafael Grossi (Argentina): Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2019, Grossi confirmed his intent to pursue the secretary-general position, leveraging his diplomatic credentials.

The Security Council, comprising 15 members, will conduct secret straw polls, offering three options for each candidate: encourage, discourage, or no opinion. Consensus must ultimately be reached, with all five permanent veto holders— the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France— agreeing on a nominee. This recommendation then proceeds to the 193-member General Assembly for formal election, which typically acts as a formality.

Efforts have been made to enhance the transparency of the selection process. A resolution passed by the General Assembly in September 2025 mandates that candidates submit and publicly present vision statements on a dedicated U.N. platform. Candidates must disclose funding sources and are encouraged to suspend U.N. duties to prevent conflicts of interest during their campaigns.

The secretary-general serves as the chief administrative officer and primary diplomat of the U.N., overseeing a workforce exceeding 30,000 civilians and managing peacekeeping operations involving around 60,000 personnel. The role also includes stewardship over an annual budget exceeding $9 billion combined for core operations and peacekeeping.

Despite the prominent profile, the secretary-general's authority is limited, as military actions and sanctions require Security Council approval. There is growing advocacy for selecting the first female secretary-general in the U.N.'s 80-year history. The recent assembly resolution emphasized this historic absence and encouraged nations to nominate women candidates.

The selection of the next secretary-general will be closely watched, reflecting both geopolitical dynamics and ongoing calls for diversity and transparency within the United Nations.