Who will be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations? This question has now officially become a topic of discussion. The election process for the five-year term starting January 1, 2027 will be completed next year. The nomination process officially began on Tuesday.
Currently, Antonio Guterres holds the position. Let's understand in detail who is ahead, how the UN chief is selected and what are his duties.
Can you apply?
Interestingly, no citizen of any country can apply directly. It must be nominated by a UN member state. The UN Security Council (15 members) and the General Assembly (193 members) jointly issued a letter inviting formal nominations from member states. Traditionally, the post of Secretary-General is given on the basis of regional rotation. When Antonio Guterres (Portugal) was appointed in 2016, Eastern Europe was considered the next candidate, but this rule was relaxed. Now, it's Latin America's turn, although candidates from other regions may also emerge.
Who has entered the fray?
Currently, there are three main candidates in the race. Let's take a look at them one by one.
- Rafael Grossi: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has made it clear that he will run. He has been serving as the Director-General of the IAEA since 2019. He is a seasoned Argentine diplomat. His name has been on the prospect list for a long time, and now it's official.
- Rebecca Greenspan: Former Vice President of Costa Rica, Rebecca Greenspan has also been nominated by her country. He is currently the Secretary-General of the UN Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). His technical expertise and understanding of global economic issues make him a strong contender. No woman has ever served as Secretary-General in history, and this is why the demand to elect the first woman Secretary-General is gaining momentum worldwide.
- Michelle Bachelet: Chilean President Gabrielle Boric has announced that former President Michelle Bachelet will be officially nominated. Michelle Bachelet is the first female president of Chile, having held the position twice. She served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018-2022 and UN Women's chief from 2010-2013. Bachelet has long been considered a potential contender for the position.
How is the UN Secretary-General selected?
The role of Security Council and General Assembly becomes important here. The Security Council evaluates the candidates by secret ballot. Each Member State gives the option to promote, to have no opinion. The five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France – can veto any nomination.
Their ballots are colored differently to identify them. When Guterres was elected in 2016, a consensus was reached after six rounds of straw voting. The Security Council recommends the candidate through an in camera resolution. The General Assembly approves it almost as a formality.
What does the Secretary-General do?
According to the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is the chief executive officer of the United Nations. The current Secretary-General is responsible for managing a vast organization with over 30,000 civil servants spread across the globe. He also oversees 11 active peacekeeping missions, employing approximately 60,000 soldiers and police officers.
The annual core budget of the UN is about $3.7 billion, while peacekeeping missions spend $5.6 billion. The Secretary-General manages both of these large budgets to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization and the advancement of peace and humanitarian efforts globally.
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