Doha:United Nations: Seven candidates are currently in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose term concludes on December 31. The new Secretary-General will assume the role on January 1, 2027, and will face a more divided and turbulent global landscape than when Guterres began his tenure.
According to Qatar News Agency, the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General involves nominations from UN member states, with each state allowed to nominate one candidate. While there is no formal deadline, the President of the UN General Assembly had requested nominations by April 1 to facilitate candidate participation in interactive dialogues. However, additional nominations can be submitted after this date.
Among the candidates are Rafael Grossi from Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, Macky Sall from Senegal, Maria Fernanda Espinosa from Ecuador, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett from Guyana, Olara Otunnu from Uganda, and Yvonne Abdul-Baki from Ecuador. Each candidate presents unique platforms and visions for reforming the UN and addressing global crises.
The selection process officially began on November 25 and consists of secret, informal straw polls conducted by the Security Council, which help gauge candidate support. These straw polls do not equate to formal votes, and the final decision is reached by the Security Council with a formal vote requiring at least nine votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members.
The role of the UN Secretary-General has evolved into a complex political and diplomatic position, encompassing responsibilities as diplomat, advocate, and chief executive. The new Secretary-General will need to address numerous global challenges, including conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Africa, as well as issues related to climate change, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.
The selection of the next Secretary-General could potentially make history, as there have been calls for a woman from Latin America or the Caribbean to assume the position, a first for the UN. This potential convergence of gender and geographic origin is one of the notable considerations in this closely contested race.
