Six candidates compete to replace UN Secretary-General Guterres
The United Nations has begun the process of selecting its next Secretary-General, with six candidates from Latin America and Africa competing to succeed António Guterres when his second term ends on December 31, 2026. The next UN chief will face mounting geopolitical tensions, financial pressures and calls for sweeping institutional reform.
The United Nations is preparing to appoint its 10th Secretary-General as António Guterres concludes his second and final five-year term on December 31, 2026. Six candidates are currently in the race to lead the world body at a time of growing global conflicts, financial constraints and increasing scrutiny over the UN’s effectiveness.
The Secretary-General serves as the UN’s chief administrative officer, overseeing the organization’s operations while working closely with the Security Council and General Assembly on international peace, security and diplomacy.
The successful candidate will be recommended by the 15-member UN Security Council before being formally appointed by the UN General Assembly. Any of the Security Council’s five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — can block a candidate through their veto power, making the selection process highly competitive.
Michelle Bachelet (Chile)
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is seeking to become the first woman to lead the United Nations. Bachelet served as Chile’s president from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018 before serving as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2018 and 2022.
She has emphasized her extensive diplomatic experience and human rights background, arguing that her leadership would send a strong signal for gender equality. Bachelet has acknowledged there is no simple solution to divisions within the Security Council but believes her international experience positions her well for the role.
Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina)
Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi currently serves as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a position he has held since 2019.
Grossi has built his career around nuclear diplomacy and non-proliferation, arguing that his experience dealing with nuclear security challenges gives him valuable insight into today’s geopolitical landscape. He supports ongoing UN reform efforts aimed at reducing bureaucracy, streamlining overlapping agencies and improving efficiency without fundamentally restructuring the organization.
María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador)
Former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister María Fernanda Espinosa previously served as President of the UN General Assembly and has extensive experience in sustainable development, climate policy and international diplomacy.
Espinosa has described the UN’s financial challenges as one of its greatest threats, warning that the organization must “reform, transform or die.” She advocates closer cooperation with regional organizations and believes Europe can play a stronger role in bridging divisions between states.
Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica)
Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan currently heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She previously served as Costa Rica’s vice president and has earned international recognition for helping negotiate agreements that allowed Ukrainian grain exports during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Grynspan has called for a more decisive and less risk-averse United Nations and supports expanding representation on the Security Council, particularly for African and Latin American countries.
Macky Sall (Senegal)
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall led the country from 2012 to 2024 after previously serving as prime minister.
His presidency was marked by major infrastructure development but was also overshadowed by political unrest, including protests over the imprisonment of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and controversy surrounding an attempt to delay the 2024 presidential election. Senegal’s government has since endorsed his candidacy after initially withholding support.
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana)
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, entered the race in June 2026. She previously served as Guyana’s foreign minister and has held several senior UN positions.
Rodrigues Birkett has campaigned on strengthening multilateral cooperation, improving the UN’s effectiveness and making the organization more responsive to modern global challenges. She also brings experience representing Indigenous communities as a member of Guyana’s Amerindian population.
A Critical Leadership Choice
The next Secretary-General will inherit an organization facing multiple crises, including armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, climate change, humanitarian emergencies and financial pressures. Calls for reform have intensified amid concerns about the UN’s ability to respond effectively to today’s global challenges.
With the Security Council’s permanent members holding veto power over the appointment, the selection process is expected to be shaped as much by international politics as by the candidates’ experience and vision for the future of the United Nations.
