Selection of the 10th UN Secretary-General

The selection of the 10th United Nations Secretary-General is now underway.

The incoming Secretary-General will assume office on 1 January 2027, succeeding António Guterres for a five-year term. This decision carries profound implications for international peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development worldwide.

Declared Candidates to Date

UNA NZ has compiled an overview of the candidates who have declared their bid so far:

• Michelle Bachelet (Chile) — Former President of Chile; former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina) — Director General of the IAEA; career diplomat known for shuttle diplomacy
• Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) — Secretary-General of UNCTAD; former Vice President of Costa Rica; economist and reform advocate
• Macky Sall (Senegal) — Former President of Senegal (2012–2024); advocate for developing nations and Security Council reform
• María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador) — Former President of the UN General Assembly; former Foreign & Defence Minister of Ecuador
• Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) — Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN; champion of a five-point reform agenda
• Olara Otunnu (Uganda) — Former UN Under-Secretary-General; inaugural Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict; focus on peacebuilding and conflict prevention

The Selection Process

The path to appointment involves informal dialogues with the General Assembly, multiple straw polls within the Security Council, and a final recommendation from the Council to the General Assembly for formal appointment.

UNA NZ will continue to track developments in this process as they unfold.