What is the UN selection process for its next chief?

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The United Nations Security Council will conduct a series of straw polls to select a preferred candidate for the next Secretary-General, with the final choice requiring at least nine votes from the 15-member council and no veto from the permanent five members.

The process for selecting the next United Nations Secretary-General involves the UN Security Council holding closed-door, anonymous straw polls to gauge member preferences among the candidates. These initial votes are designed to narrow down the field until one candidate garners at least nine affirmative votes from the 15 Security Council members, crucially without being blocked by a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia. Once a consensus candidate emerges, their name is forwarded to the General Assembly for formal appointment.
Seven Candidates Vie for the Top Position

As of the latest information, seven individuals are in contention to succeed the current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who concludes his term on December 31. The candidates include Olara Otunnu from Uganda, Michelle Bachelet from Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa from Ecuador, Rafael Grossi from Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett from Guyana, and Macky Sall from Senegal. Otunnu, a former UN under-secretary general, joined the race recently, bringing the total number of contenders to seven.
Security Council's Straw Poll Method

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold its first straw poll on July 30. This initial vote will be conducted anonymously and behind closed doors, allowing council members to express their preferences without public attribution. This method is a preliminary step, and the council anticipates holding an unspecified number of subsequent straw polls. The aim is to progressively identify a candidate who can command broad support within the council.
Achieving Consensus and Formal Appointment

The selection process continues through these straw polls until a candidate secures the necessary backing. Specifically, a candidate must receive at least nine votes from the 15 Security Council members. Equally important is the absence of a veto from any of the five permanent members (the US, Britain, China, France, and Russia), as a single veto can block a candidate from advancing. Once such a candidate is identified and agreed upon by the Security Council, their name is formally presented to the General Assembly for appointment. The successful candidate is slated to assume office on January 1, 2027.

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What is the UN selection process for its next chief?

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