Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The United Nations is selecting its tenth Secretary-General, who will assume office in January 2027, following António Guterres’s term ending on 31 December 2026. The process involves nominations by UN Member States, televised questioning of candidates, and Security Council discussions before the UN General Assembly finalizes the appointment later in 2026.
As of April 2026, four candidates have been nominated: Michelle Bachelet from Chile, Rafael Grossi from Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, and Macky Sall from Senegal. Each candidate must be nominated by at least one Member State, and nationals of the five permanent Security Council members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—are excluded. Additional candidates may still be nominated after the initial deadline.
The selection process includes televised informal dialogues with Member States and closed-door Security Council deliberations. The final decision is usually concluded between August and October before the General Assembly’s formal appointment. Factors such as gender, regional representation, and Security Council consensus amid global political divides play a significant role in the race.
The Secretary-General is responsible for leading the UN Secretariat, bringing threats to international peace to the Security Council, mediating and advocating during crises, and implementing decisions of Member States.