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2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection

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2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection
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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

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

Candidates

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Registered candidates

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The selection process formally began on 25 November 2025. To date, five candidates have been nominated, of whom one subsequently withdrew.[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]
María Fernanda Espinosa Antigua and Barbuda 12 May 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group President of the 73rd UN General Assembly
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2017–2018) 		[8][9]
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)		 [10]
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) 		[11]
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) 		[12]

Withdrawn

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Photo Candidate Nominator Nominated Withdrew Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Headshot of Virginia Gamba Virginia Gamba Maldives 11 March 2026 25 March 2026 Asia-Pacific 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) 		[13][14]

Expressed interest but no formal candidacy filed

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Photo Candidate Country Announced Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Ivonne Baki
11 January 2026 Latin American and Caribbean Group Ecuadorian Ambassador to France (2024)
Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United States (2020–2024)		 [15]
Colombe Cahen-Salvador France 31 March 2024 Western European and Others Group Co-Founder of Atlas Movement [16][17][18]
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)		 [19][20][21]
Bruno Donat Mauritius 22 June 2025 African Group Head of the Geneva Office of the United Nations Mine Action Service (2019–2025) [22][23]

Speculated

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Photo Candidate Country Regional Group Prior experience Citations
Jacinda Ardern New Zealand Western European and Others Group Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017–2023) [19]
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) 		[24][25][19]
Kristalina Georgieva Bulgaria Eastern European Group Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (2019–present) [19]
Vuk Jeremić Serbia Eastern European Group Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007–2012)
President of the United Nations General Assembly (2012–2013)		 [19]
Amina J. Mohammed Nigeria
United Kingdom[c]		 African Group
Western European and Others Group		 Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (2017–present) [26][19]
Mia Mottley Barbados Latin American and Caribbean Group Prime Minister of Barbados (2018–present) [25][27][19][28]
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)		 [29]
Achim Steiner Brazil
Germany[c]		 Latin American and Caribbean Group
Western European and Others Group		 Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (2017–present) [19]

Declined

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Endorsements

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

Notes

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  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

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  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. ^ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Michelle Bachelet Jeria by Chile, Brazil, and Mexico [A/80/616-S/2026/56]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Joint letter regarding the withdrawal of nomination of Michelle Bachelet Jeria by Chile [A/80/694-S/2026/226]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-03-25.
  8. ^ "Ecuador's Espinosa joins battle to lad United Nations".
  9. ^ "Former Ecuadoran top diplomat enters race for UN chief". France 24. 2026-05-12. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  10. ^ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Rafael Mariano Grossi by Argentina [A/80/549-S/2025/775]" (PDF). United Nations. 2025-11-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis by Costa Rica [A/80/666-S/2026/124]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-03-03.
  12. ^ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Macky Sall by Burundi [A/80/662 - S/2026/123]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-03-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Joint letter regarding the nomination of Virginia Gamba by the Maldives [A/80/671-S/2026/168]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-03-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Joint letter regarding the withdrawal of nomination of Virginia Gamba by the Maldives [A/80/695-S/2026/236]" (PDF). United Nations. 2026-03-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ a b "Líbano oficializa candidatura de Ivonne Baki para la Secretaría General de la ONU". El Universo (in Spanish).
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ PassBlue (2025-11-01). "Results of PassBlue's Survey: 'Vote for the Next UN Secretary-General' - PassBlue". passblue.com. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  18. ^ "Making the UN Personal with Colombe Cahen-Salvador | General Studies". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Rumoured potential candidates". 1 for 8 Billion. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  20. ^ Dávalos, Gabriela Keseberg; Donaldson, Ben (2025-05-08). "Bolivia Jumps the Gun With Early Candidate for UN Secretary-General". PassBlue. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  21. ^ "Bolivian VP nominated for UN top position". MercoPress. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  22. ^ 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/
  23. ^ Ginzo, Julián (2025-10-19). "Planning a UN Revolution - THEY SAID SO". Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  24. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? - PART 3". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  25. ^ a b c 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.
  26. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should Be the Next UN Leader? - Part 1". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  27. ^ Dodds, Felix; Spence, Chris (2024-04-22). "Africa: Who Should be the Next UN Leader? - PART 2". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  28. ^ a b La Nación. "Un candidato argentino para presidir la ONU". Inter Press Service (in Spanish).
  29. ^ 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)
  30. ^ 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).
  31. ^ "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).
  32. ^ "El Gobierno presentó formalmente la candidatura de Rafael Grossi para conducir la ONU". Infobae (in Spanish).
  33. ^ Piqué, Elisabetta. "Italia respalda la candidatura de Rafael Grossi como secretario general de la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish).
  34. ^ "Paraguay expresó su apoyo a la candidatura de Grossi para la ONU". La Nación (in Spanish).
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