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Who Will Lead the UN Next? Transparency, Gender, and Geopolitics

17
April 2026
By Gabriela Keseberg Davalos & Chaima Jabbar

The 2026 UN Secretary-General election takes place amid rising conflicts, geopolitical fragmentation, and declining trust in multilateral institutions. These converging crises increase the stakes of leadership at the UN. The process is further shaped by regional dynamics, with Latin America seen as a strong contender, though shifting geopolitical interests—especially from major powers—are complicating the selection.

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