New York, Unites States (Enmaeya News) — The United Nations is gearing up for significant leadership transitions, including the selection of a new secretary-general in December 2026. Key roles at the U.N. Development Programme, International Telecommunications Union, and the Refugee Agency are also expected to see new appointments.
U.N. delegates, led by South Africa and Romania, have been working quietly to set clear rules for candidates seeking to replace current Secretary-General António Guterres, who will finish his 10-year term in 2026. The election process will begin with nominations in September, followed by candidate campaigns, public statements, and financial disclosures.
A coalition of more than 20 member states, known as the ACT Group, has proposed limiting the secretary-general’s term to a single seven-year period to reduce political pressure on the office.
This leadership contest comes at a time of intense global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, humanitarian emergencies, and cuts in U.S. funding—the U.N.’s largest supporter. Experts warn these challenges could weaken the U.N. and increase influence from other countries like China and Russia.
While the U.S. continues to hold leadership in agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, its influence in others, including the U.N. Development Programme, is waning.
Several candidates are competing for top U.N. posts. The U.S. has nominated Doreen Bogdan-Martin for a second term as head of the International Telecommunications Union. Candidates for the U.N. Development Programme include former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo and Japanese official Izumi Nakamitsu.
There is a strong movement to appoint the first female U.N. secretary-general, with prominent women leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean as frontrunners. However, some powerful countries, including the U.S. and Russia, have opposed giving an advantage based on gender.
The selection process remains unpredictable. Experts say the new leader will need to balance support for U.N. goals with the political realities of major member states.
As the U.N. faces financial pressures and complex global challenges, the next leadership will have a crucial role in guiding the organization’s future.