On Tuesday the process formally began to elect the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Security Council and the President of the General Assembly called on member states to submit the names of candidates for the post as of January 1, 2027.
“The selection of the next Secretary-General comes at a pivotal moment for the United Nations,” the President of the 80th session of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, said.
She added that “we are confronted with escalating conflicts, a rapidly advancing climate crisis, expanding humanitarian needs, enduring obstacles to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, and an increasing pushback against human rights.”
Baerbock also noted that “the multilateral system—with the United Nations at its center—is under mounting financial and political pressure. At the same time the world needs the United Nations more than ever.”
She stated that this selection process carries “extraordinary significance,” because “the world is looking to the next Secretary-General to provide strong, dedicated and effective leadership in delivering on the three pillars of the United Nations, peace and security, human rights and development,” and to make the UN “fit for the future.”
With the issuance of the joint letter by the President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly, UN member states are invited to submit candidate nominations. The letter calls on member states to seriously consider nominating women for the post and emphasizes regional diversity, transparency in campaigns, disclosure of information and provisions for withdrawal of candidates.
The new Secretary-General is expected to take office on January 1, 2027.
