International
Four Key Candidates Announced for UN Secretary-General
April 11, 2026 16:41 • UTC+5 (Ashgabat) • 20 views

Four main candidates have emerged for the UN Secretary-General position. The next leader will face major financial challenges and the need for global reforms.
As the term of the current UN Secretary-General António Guterres concludes at the end of this year, the selection process for the organization's new leader is underway. The application phase has closed, with four primary candidates now officially nominated for this high-level responsibility. The future Secretary-General will face complex challenges, including addressing global financial difficulties and implementing broad reforms aligned with international conditions.
Currently, four candidates—two men and two women—are officially registered. Annalena Baerbock, the current President of the UN General Assembly, advocates for a woman to be elected to the role. The candidates are:
- Michelle Bachelet (74, Chile): Chile’s first female President, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and former head of UN Women. Nominated by Brazil and Mexico.
- Rafael Grossi (65, Argentina): Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), overseeing global nuclear programs and safety. Nominated by Argentina.
- Rebeca Grynspan (70, Costa Rica): Economist, former Vice President of Costa Rica, and Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Nominated by Costa Rica.
- Macky Sall (64, Senegal): Long-serving former President of Senegal, focused on infrastructure development and political stability. Nominated by Burundi.
Interactive online dialogues will take place shortly. Starting in July, the Security Council will hold several rounds of voting until a candidate secures a majority without a veto. The final appointment must be confirmed by the General Assembly, with results expected in early autumn.