Who will be next UN chief? Meet 7 candidates in race to replace Guterres; how secretary-general is chosen | Explained

As the current UN Secretary-General António Guterres prepares to resign at the end of his term on December 31, 2025, a race to fill the position of the UN's 10th secretary-general has intensified. Seven candidates from various countries are vying for the role, with the selection process involving the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly.

Rebeca Grynspan, a Costa Rican economist and former UN Trade and Development official, is one of the candidates. She has gained support with her campaign emphasizing multilateral cooperation and restoring confidence in the UN. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana's permanent representative to the UN, has also entered the race, focusing on conflict prevention, human rights, and climate action.

Rafael Grossi, currently the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is another contender. His campaign has emphasized making the UN more effective and results-oriented, drawing on his experience in international negotiations and nuclear diplomacy. María Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuador's former foreign and defence minister and former president of the UN General Assembly, has focused her campaign on peace, security, development, institutional reform, and rebuilding confidence in the UN.

Macky Sall, Senegal's former president, has highlighted issues affecting developing countries, calling for reforms to the UN Security Council and a renewed approach to multilateral cooperation. Olara Otunnu, a veteran Ugandan diplomat, is the oldest candidate at 75. He has called for restoring the UN's moral authority, emphasizing institutional reform, conflict resolution, and addressing challenges related to artificial intelligence.

Ivonne A-Baki, an Ecuadorian diplomat and former ambassador to various countries, has been nominated by Tonga and is focusing on conflict prevention and diplomacy. She argues that the UN needs a stronger role in preventing wars and resolving disputes.

The selection process involves the Security Council conducting informal straw polls, with members indicating whether they "encourage", "discourage" or have "no opinion" on each candidate. The five permanent members hold veto power, and the Security Council must ultimately agree on a candidate and recommend them to the General Assembly, which then formally appoints the secretary-general.

The process began on November 25, 2025, and the final selection is expected before Guterres completes his term, allowing the new secretary-general to take office on January 1, 2027.