News Center — The official process for selecting the new United Nations Secretary-General began on Tuesday, November 25, with an invitation sent to member states to submit their nominations in preparation for choosing a successor to António Guterres as of January 1, 2027.

The United Nations urged member states to take the nomination of women seriously, emphasizing the need to give them the opportunity to lead the world’s most important international body, and calling for a woman to be chosen for the position of Secretary-General.

Several names are being informally circulated as potential candidates for the next UN Secretary-General, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi, and Costa Rican Rebecca Grynspan, who currently serves as Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In a joint letter addressed to the 193 UN member states, Sierra Leone’s ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, the current President of the Security Council, and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock announced the formal launch of the selection process for the next Secretary-General.

Candidates must have extensive experience in international relations, diplomatic and language skills, and must be nominated by a country or group of countries, in addition to presenting their “vision” and sources of funding.

Candidates may undergo public interviews as part of efforts to enhance transparency. The Security Council is expected to begin the formal selection process by the end of July, though the final decision remains subject to the positions of the five permanent members who hold veto power. Once the Council submits its recommendation, the General Assembly elects the new Secretary-General for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027, renewable only once.