2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection

2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection
2026
Incumbent Secretary-General

António Guterres


A United Nations Secretary-General selection is currently being held to choose the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The incumbent Secretary-General is António Guterres of Portugal, whose term ends on 31 December 2026.[1]

Campaign

On 16 January 2026, Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, publicly called on more candidates to enter the race.[2]

Candidates

Registered candidates

The selection process formally began on 25 November 2025. To date, five candidates have been formally nominated.[3]

Photo Candidate Nominator Nominated Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Michelle Bachelet
Brazil[a]
Mexico[a]
Chile[b] 		2 February 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group President of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–2022)
Executive director of UN Women (2010–2013)		 [6][7][8]
Virginia Gamba Maldives 11 March 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Special Advisor to the Secretary General on Prevention of Genocide and Hate Speech (acting) (2024—2025)
Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict (2017—2025)
Director of the Office of Disarmament Affairs (2012—2015) 		[9][10][11]
Rafael Grossi Argentina 22 December 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Group Argentine Ambassador to Austria (2013–2019)
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (2019–present)		 [12][7][8][13][14][15]
Rebeca Grynspan Costa Rica 3 March 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Second Vice President of Costa Rica (1994–1998)
Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (2014–2021)
Secretary-General of UNCTAD (2021–present) 		[16][12][7][17][18]
Macky Sall Burundi 2 March 2026 African Group President of Senegal (2012–2024)
Chairperson of the African Union (2022–2023)
Prime Minister of Senegal (2004–2007)
Special Envoy for the Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P) (2024) 		[19][20]

Expressed interest but no formal candidacy filed

Photo Candidate Country Announced Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Ivonne Baki Ecuador Lebanon 11 January 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Ecuadorian Ambassador to France (2024)
Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United States (2020–2024)		 [21]
Colombe Cahen-Salvador France 31 March 2024 Western European and Others Group Co-Founder of Atlas Movement [22][23][24]
David Choquehuanca Bolivia 25 April 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Group Foreign Minister of Bolivia (2016–2017)
Secretary General of ALBA (2017–2019)
Vice President of Bolivia (2020–2025)		 [7][25][26]
Bruno Donat Mauritius 22 June 2025 African Group Head of the Geneva Office of the United Nations Mine Action Service (2019–2025) [27][28]

Speculated

Photo Candidate Country Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Jacinda Ardern New Zealand Western European and Others Group Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017–2023) [7]
Alicia Bárcena Mexico Latin American and Caribbean Group Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (2008–2022)
Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs (2023–2024)
Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (2024–present) 		[29][12][7]
María Fernanda Espinosa Ecuador Latin American and Caribbean Group Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007; 2017–2018)
Ecuadorian Minister of National Defense (2012–2014)
President of the United Nations General Assembly (2018–2019)		 [30][12][7][8]
Kristalina Georgieva Bulgaria Eastern European Group Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (2019–present) [7]
Vuk Jeremić Serbia Eastern European Group Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007–2012)
President of the United Nations General Assembly (2012–2013)		 [7]
Amina J. Mohammed Nigeria
United Kingdom[c]		 African Group
Western European and Others Group		 Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (2017–present) [31][7]
Mia Mottley Barbados Latin American and Caribbean Group Prime Minister of Barbados (2018–present) [12][32][7][8]
Kevin Rudd Australia Western European and Others Group Prime Minister of Australia (2007–2010, June-September 2013)
Foreign Minister (2010–2012)
Australian Ambassador to the United States (2023–2026)		 [33]
Achim Steiner Brazil
Germany[c]		 Latin American and Caribbean Group
Western European and Others Group		 Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (2017–present) [7]

Declined

Endorsements

Michelle Bachelet
Nations
Ivonne Baki
Nations
Rafael Grossi
Nations
Rebeca Grynspan
Nations
Macky Sall
Nations

Notes

  1. ^ a b This person was nominated by multiple countries.
  2. ^ a b Michelle Bachelet was jointly nominated in February 2026 by the governments of Brazil, Mexico and her home country, Chile, during the presidency of Gabriel Boric.[4] However, on 24 March 2026, President José Antonio Kast announced that his government would withdraw its support for Bachelet’s candidacy.[5]
  3. ^ a b This person holds multiple citizenship.

References

  1. ^ Samarasinghe, Natalie (2021-06-16). "Opinion: The road to the 2026 UN secretary-general race begins now". Devex. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  2. ^ a b Banjo, Damilola (2026-01-14). "Where Are the Candidates? UN General Assembly Chief Calls for More People to Enter Secretary-General Race". passblue.com. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  3. ^ "Selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General". United Nations.
  4. ^ "Con el respaldo de Brasil y México: Presidente Boric inscribió candidatura de Michelle Bachelet a la ONU". 24horas (in Spanish). 2026-02-02.
  5. ^ "El Gobierno de Kast no apoyará la candidatura de Bachelet a la ONU". Cooperativa (in Spanish). 2026-03-24.
  6. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should Be the Next UN Leader? - Part 6". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Rumoured potential candidates". 1 for 8 Billion. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  8. ^ a b c d e La Nación. "Un candidato argentino para presidir la ONU". Inter Press Service (in Spanish).
  9. ^ "Another Argentine diplomat, Virginia Gamba, enters race to be UN chief | Buenos Aires Times". www.batimes.com.ar. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  10. ^ BERNAMA (2026-03-14). "Fifth Candidate Nominated For Next UN Secretary-General". BERNAMA. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  11. ^ "WATCH | UN sec-gen candidate Virginia Gamba: 'Malta could play role of the great interpreter'". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Fillion, Stephanie (2023-09-29). "Analysis: Who could lead the United Nations next? This Caribbean climate leader makes diplomats 'jump' with excitement". CNN. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  13. ^ Al Jazeera English (2025-09-22). IAEA chief Rafael Grossi looking to become the next UN Secretary General. Retrieved 2025-11-19 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ a b Piqué, Elisabetta. "Italia respalda la candidatura de Rafael Grossi como secretario general de la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish).
  15. ^ a b "El Gobierno presentó formalmente la candidatura de Rafael Grossi para conducir la ONU". Infobae (in Spanish).
  16. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should Lead the United Nations? - Part 5". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  17. ^ Franco, Juan David Mosos (2025-10-08). "Costa Rica propone a Rebeca Grynspan para secretaria general de la ONU - EFE". EFE Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  18. ^ "Le Costa Rica propose Rebeca Grynspan pour succéder à Antonio Guterres à l'ONU". RFI (in French). 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  19. ^ Shaikh, Mariam (2026-03-03). "Letter from the President of the General Assembly & the President Security Council on nomination of Mr. Macky Sall by the Republic of Burundi for the position of Secretary-General". General Assembly of the United Nations. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  20. ^ "Burundi nominates former Senegalese president Sall for UN chief". RFI. 2026-03-03. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  21. ^ a b "Líbano oficializa candidatura de Ivonne Baki para la Secretaría General de la ONU". El Universo (in Spanish).
  22. ^ "Një OKB për 'mbijetesën' e njerëzimit – aktivistja Cahen-Salvador shpall kandidaturën për Sekretare të Përgjithshme | Albanian Post" [A UN for the 'survival' of humanity – activist Cahen-Salvador announces candidacy for Secretary-General | Albanian Post.]. albanianpost.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 2026-01-07.
  23. ^ PassBlue (2025-11-01). "Results of PassBlue's Survey: 'Vote for the Next UN Secretary-General' - PassBlue". passblue.com. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  24. ^ "Making the UN Personal with Colombe Cahen-Salvador | General Studies". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  25. ^ Dávalos, Gabriela Keseberg; Donaldson, Ben (2025-05-08). "Bolivia Jumps the Gun With Early Candidate for UN Secretary-General". PassBlue. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  26. ^ "Bolivian VP nominated for UN top position". MercoPress. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  27. ^ CBS 42. (2025, June 22). Global Candidate Bruno Donat runs for UN Secretary-General: Official conducted hunger strike for Gaza children. https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/822318552/global-candidate-bruno-donat-runs-for-un-secretary-general-official-conducted-hunger-strike-for-gaza-children/
  28. ^ Ginzo, Julián (2025-10-19). "Planning a UN Revolution - THEY SAID SO". Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  29. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? - PART 3". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  30. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? - PART 4". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  31. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should Be the Next UN Leader? - Part 1". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  32. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? - PART 2". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  33. ^ Knott, Matthew (27 January 2026). "Kevin Rudd tried before for the UN's top job. Two obstacles stand in the way of another go". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ^ Lula da Silva [@LulaOficial] (February 2, 2026). "É com muita honra que o Brasil apoia a candidatura de @mbachelet à Secretária-Geral da ONU. Em oito décadas de história, é hora de a organização finalmente ser comandada por uma mulher" (Tweet) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retweeted by Gabriel Boric – via X (formerly Twitter).
  35. ^ "México, Brasil y Chile oficializan la candidatura de Michelle Bachelet para la Secretaría General de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas". Gobierno de México (in Spanish).
  36. ^ "Paraguay expresó su apoyo a la candidatura de Grossi para la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish).
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