Upcoming UN Elections: Secretary General and General Assembly President
- The United Nations is preparing for two significant leadership transitions in 2026, involving the election of a new Secretary-General and the selection of a new President of the...
- The election for the President of the General Assembly for the 81st session is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
- The selection process for the next Secretary-General was formally initiated on November 25, 2025, through a joint letter from the President of the General Assembly and the President...
The United Nations is preparing for two significant leadership transitions in 2026, involving the election of a new Secretary-General and the selection of a new President of the General Assembly (PGA).
The election for the President of the General Assembly for the 81st session is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Meanwhile, the process to replace the incumbent Secretary-General, António Guterres, is ongoing, though a confirmed date for polling has not yet been set.
Secretary-General Selection Process
The selection process for the next Secretary-General was formally initiated on November 25, 2025, through a joint letter from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council addressed to Member States.
This process is guided by General Assembly resolution 79/327, adopted on September 5, 2025, regarding the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. The selection is conducted in accordance with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations and is intended to be guided by principles of inclusivity and transparency.
Under the established guidelines, candidates are nominated by a Member State or groups of Member States. Each candidate must provide a curriculum vitae, a vision statement, and disclosures regarding campaign financing. The President of the General Assembly is responsible for convening webcast interactive dialogues with the candidates and engaging with Member States.
Current Candidates and Nominations
As of April 2026, five candidates have been nominated for the position, though one has since withdrawn. The remaining registered candidates include:
- Michelle Bachelet: Nominated by Brazil and Mexico on February 2, 2026. She is a former President of Chile and has served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the executive director of UN Women.
- Rafael Grossi: Nominated by Argentina, Italy, and Paraguay on December 22, 2025. He is the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and previously served as the Argentine Ambassador to Austria.
- Rebeca Grynspan: Nominated by Costa Rica on March 3, 2026. She is the current Secretary-General of UNCTAD and previously served as the Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat and Second Vice President of Costa Rica.
- Macky Sall: Nominated by Burundi on March 2, 2026. He is the former President of Senegal and former Chairperson of the African Union.
On January 16, 2026, Annalena Baerbock, the President of the General Assembly, issued a public call for additional candidates to enter the race.
Timeline and Term Limits
The incumbent Secretary-General, António Guterres of Portugal, will see his term end on December 31, 2026. The incoming Secretary-General will assume leadership following the conclusion of the selection and appointment process.
The President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council continue to maintain and update a public list of candidates, including their nominating states and required documentation, to ensure the transparency of the proceedings.