Seven Contenders Vie to Lead the UN Amid Global Crises
Seven candidates—Ivonne A-Baki, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Olara Otunnu, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, and Macky Sall—are vying to become the UN’s next secretary-general, with the winner expected to take office on Jan 1, 2027. The selection follows the long-standing process involving nominations, town halls, Security Council straw polls, and a General Assembly vote. Amid calls for a first female leader and adherence to Latin America and the Caribbean regional rotation, experts say the appointee will confront major challenges, including internal reforms, funding shortfalls, climate change, rising AI governance concerns, and escalating geopolitical tensions.