New York, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : The discussion surrounding the next United Nations Secretary-General is intensifying as the current leader, Antonio Guterres, prepares to finish his second five-year term on December 31, 2026. The new Secretary-General is set to begin their term on January 1, 2027.
As the election approaches, the role of major global powers in reaching a consensus on a candidate has become crucial. Despite three rounds of confidential straw polls, none of the seven current candidates has gained a clear advantage. Discussions within the UN suggest that the final decision may hinge on an agreement among the permanent members of the Security Council, including the United States and China.
Reports indicate that, in addition to the existing candidates, new names are being considered as potential options. This comes after no candidate has emerged with significant support following the informal voting rounds. Currently, only about three candidates are seen as having a realistic chance of securing the necessary backing.
The Security Council plays a pivotal role in the selection process. It consists of 15 members, five of whom are permanent: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. To advance a candidate for Secretary-General, at least nine members must express support, and none of the permanent members can exercise their veto. The Security Council then recommends a name, which is formally appointed by the UN General Assembly.
The “straw polls” are not formal elections but rather confidential votes aimed at gauging candidate support. Members can choose to “encourage,” “discourage,” or abstain from voting on a candidate. This process attempts to identify which candidates have the potential to advance to the final stages.
Regional balance is also a significant factor in this election cycle. Among the seven candidates, several hail from Latin America and the Caribbean, including former Costa Rican Vice President Rebecca Grynspan, Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Argentine IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister and UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa, and former Ecuadorian Ambassador Ivonne A-Baki. Additionally, former Senegalese President Macky Sall is in the running.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was also a contender but withdrew her candidacy on September 20 after a decline in support during the Security Council’s straw polls, leaving the number of candidates at seven.
Initial straw polls indicated support for Grynspan; however, subsequent rounds revealed a more complex landscape, with no candidate achieving broad acceptance among the permanent members. Due to the confidential nature of the voting, publicly available data does not provide a complete picture.
The roles of the United States and China are particularly significant, given their status as permanent Security Council members with veto power. Both countries also have differing priorities regarding the UN amid ongoing financial and political challenges.
Currently, the UN faces severe financial pressure. The United States has historically been the largest contributor to the organization, but funding has seen substantial cuts under the current administration. Conversely, China is expected to increase its contributions to help address the financial crisis, though a comprehensive solution remains elusive.
The U.S. is also advocating for administrative reforms within the UN. Under the “UN80” initiative, there are calls for the consolidation of UN agencies, reductions in headquarters-related expenses, and a reallocation of resources toward grassroots programs. Consequently, the next Secretary-General will need to balance American priorities with the expectations of China and other major powers.
China has engaged with Secretary-General candidates, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting separately with Grynspan and Espinosa in June. Both candidates expressed their views on the need to strengthen multilateralism and the UN’s role.
Another crucial aspect of this election is the array of serious global crises the UN currently faces. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East, climate change, global health challenges, artificial intelligence, and rising great power competition within the Security Council present new challenges for the organization.
In this context, the new Secretary-General will not only have administrative responsibilities but will also need to maintain the UN’s role during a time when permanent members of the Security Council disagree on several critical issues.
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