New York, NY – The United Nations has officially commenced the process of selecting its next Secretary-General. The Security Council and the President of the General Assembly have jointly called upon member states to nominate candidates for the position, which will become effective January 1, 2027.
Addressing the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session, stated, “The selection of the next Secretary-General comes at a pivotal moment for the United Nations.” She emphasized the multitude of challenges facing the global community. “We are confronting escalating conflicts, a rapidly intensifying climate crisis, growing humanitarian needs, persistent obstacles to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and increasing pressure on human rights.“
Baerbock further noted the mounting financial and political pressures on the multilateral system. “The world needs the United Nations now more than ever,” she asserted, highlighting the organization’s unique capacity to unite nations and operate on a truly international scale. “The UN remains the only organization capable of bringing together all the countries of the world and working on a truly international scale. It is the only one that enjoys political legitimacy and moral authority throughout the world.”
The Security Council is expected to formally recommend a candidate to the General Assembly for election as the tenth Secretary-General of the United Nations. This recommendation will follow a consensus among the five permanent members of the Council – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, and France – who hold veto power. The election is anticipated to take place later next year.
