Search for the Next UN Secretary-General Gains Momentum

Sudanhorizon – Agencies

The search has officially begun within the corridors of the United Nations for the successor to Secretary-General António Guterres. Five candidates are currently competing, and starting in April they will present their visions before member states during public hearings that have, over the years, become an integral part of the organization’s diplomatic process.

Speaking at a press conference at UN headquarters in New York City, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, stressed that “choosing the person who will lead the organization is extremely important, especially in these difficult times.”

Public hearings are scheduled to begin during the week starting April 20, according to the current timetable. Each candidate will be given three hours to present their vision, answer questions from member states, and engage with civil society organizations.

Baerbock, a German diplomat, acknowledged that the time allocated may seem lengthy but noted that member states have valued the opportunity to ask questions and participate in constructive dialogue.

Five Declared Candidates

So far, five individuals officially nominated by their governments are competing to succeed Guterres, the former Portuguese prime minister whose second five-year term ends at the close of the year.

The first nomination came in November for Rafael Grossi of Argentina, currently Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In February, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico nominated former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet.

In early March, Burundi endorsed the candidacy of former Senegalese president Macky Sall, while Costa Rica nominated Rebeca Grynspan, the current head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Most recently, the Maldives nominated Virginia Gamba, the former UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Additional nominations may still be submitted before April 1, the deadline set to allow time to organize the interviews.

A Selection Process Under Close Scrutiny

The procedure aims to make the selection process more transparent than in the past. Public hearings—introduced during the previous Secretary-General selection process in 2016—transformed what had long been secret negotiations among major powers into a diplomatic practice conducted under the scrutiny of media and civil society.

Each candidate must present a vision statement and answer questions centered on the UN’s three main pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

According to Baerbock, the selection criteria are clearly defined in resolutions adopted by member states. The future Secretary-General must demonstrate “strong, committed, and effective leadership,” as well as solid experience in governance and managing complex institutions.

Pressure to Appoint a Woman

The issue of gender representation also looms over the selection process. Since the organization’s founding in 1945, no woman has ever served as UN Secretary-General. Several member states have therefore called for female candidates to address this historic imbalance.

Baerbock reiterated that “there is a strong call in the name of regional diversity and the appointment of women.”

So far, three of the five declared candidates are women. Nevertheless, Baerbock emphasized that her role in the process is purely procedural. “My role is to manage this process with transparency, neutrality, and integrity,” she said, declining to comment on individual nominations.

A Decision in a World in Crisis

The selection of the next UN Secretary-General comes amid a highly turbulent international context: the war in Ukraine, military escalation in the Middle East, and recurring deadlock within the United Nations Security Council.

In this environment, the personality of the future leader could significantly influence the organization’s ability to balance the rivalry among major powers. Baerbock stated: “The person who leads this organization will also represent what this institution stands for in the future.”

However, the April hearings will only be one step in the process. As is customary in diplomacy, the final decision will lie with the Security Council—where the five permanent members hold veto power—before being formally approved by the General Assembly. In other words, beyond the public hearings and speeches about transparency, the decisive battle will, as often happens at the United Nations, take place behind the scenes of geopolitics.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=12118