New York: The process to select the next secretary general of the United Nations has officially begun as the global body prepares for a leadership change in 2027.
The current secretary general will complete his second and final term at the end of 2026. The new leader will take office on January 1 2027 for a five year term.
According to the established process candidates must be nominated by member states. These nominees will then take part in open dialogues with all UN members where they present their vision for the organisation and answer questions. These sessions are scheduled for April 2026.
After the dialogues the United Nations Security Council will hold closed discussions and recommend one candidate. The final appointment will be made by the United Nations General Assembly.
So far Argentina has formally nominated Rafael Grossi, who currently heads the International Atomic Energy Agency. Diplomats and UN observers say more nominations are expected in the coming months.
Several well known international figures are also being discussed as possible candidates. They include Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile and past UN human rights chief, and Rebeca Grynspan, a senior UN official and former vice president of Costa Rica.
There is growing international support for choosing the first woman secretary general in the organisation’s nearly eighty year history. Many countries are also calling for strong leadership to address conflicts climate change economic inequality and reforms within the UN system.
The nomination deadline is set for early April 2026. The final decision by the Security Council and General Assembly is expected later in the year.
The leadership race is being closely watched as it will shape the direction of the United Nations at a time of rising global tensions and humanitarian challenges.