For the first time in the United Nations' 79-year history, three women are officially competing for the position of secretary-general. The candidacies represent a landmark moment for an institution that has been led exclusively by men since its founding in 1945. The three candidates come from different regions and bring distinct diplomatic backgrounds to their campaigns.
The Candidates and Their Platforms
The three women vying for the world's top diplomatic post include candidates from multiple continents, each pitching their vision for reforming and strengthening the international body. Their campaigns have focused on improving the UN's response to global crises, enhancing peacekeeping operations, and addressing systemic challenges within the organisation's bureaucracy. The candidates have each met with the Security Council's 15 member states as part of the formal selection process.
Diplomats following the race say the emergence of three female candidates reflects decades of advocacy by women's rights organisations and member states pushing for gender parity at the highest levels of international governance. The campaign has drawn attention from Geneva's diplomatic community, where the UN's second-largest office is based.
The Selection Process Unfolds
The secretary-general is selected through a vote in the Security Council, where the five permanent members hold veto power. Candidates must secure the approval of all five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — before the General Assembly formally appoints the winner. This process has historically favoured candidates who maintain good relations with the major powers.
This year's selection has unfolded against a backdrop of mounting global challenges, including ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, climate emergencies, and disputes over the UN's role in addressing humanitarian crises. Member states have called for a leader capable of navigating these pressures while reforming the organisation's operations.
Historical Context of the Race
The UN has had nine secretaries-general, all male, since its establishment in 1945. The current secretary-general is serving a second term and cannot stand for re-election under the charter's unwritten tradition of two five-year terms. The departure creates an open race for the first time since 2006.
Women's advocacy groups have monitored the selection process closely, noting that the presence of three female candidates does not guarantee that the Security Council will select a woman. Previous campaigns to appoint a female secretary-general have failed, including when a female candidate from Asia was reportedly blocked by one of the permanent members in an earlier selection round.
Diplomatic Maneuvering in New York and Geneva
The candidates have conducted extensive outreach to member states, meeting with foreign ministers and permanent representatives at UN headquarters in New York. Geneva-based diplomats have also played a role in consultations, given the city's significance as a hub for UN agencies and international law institutions. The Swiss government has hosted events connecting candidates with European member states whose votes could prove decisive.
The United States, as a permanent Security Council member, holds significant influence over the outcome. American officials have indicated a preference for candidates with experience working within the US-led international order, according to statements from Washington. The Russian government's position has been less clear, with diplomats suggesting Moscow is evaluating candidates based on their perceived willingness to work with Russian interests.
What the Outcome Means for the UN
If elected, the successful candidate would inherit an organisation facing declining trust from some member states, budget constraints, and competition from regional organisations seeking to fill leadership gaps the UN has struggled to address. The next secretary-general will also oversee the UN's 2030 sustainable development goals agenda, which remains significantly off track.
The selection carries symbolic weight beyond policy outcomes. Women's rights advocates argue that a female secretary-general would signal the UN's commitment to gender equality at the very top of its structure, potentially inspiring reforms throughout the organisation's operations and staffing.
What's Next in the Selection
The Security Council is expected to conduct a formal vote on candidates in the coming weeks, with a preferred candidate likely to emerge before the General Assembly's summer recess. Member states have called for a transparent process, though deliberations remain private due to the sensitive nature of negotiations involving the permanent members.
The outcome will be closely watched by governments, international organisations, and civil society groups. The next secretary-general will take office on January 1, assuming the role at a moment when multilateral cooperation faces unprecedented scrutiny. Watch for the Security Council to announce a timeline for its formal vote, which will be the decisive moment in determining who leads the UN for the next five years.
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Geneva-based diplomats have also played a role in consultations, given the city's significance as a hub for UN agencies and international law institutions. The Swiss government has hosted events connecting candidates with European member states whose votes could prove decisive.The United States, as a permanent Security Council member, holds significant influence over the outcome.
