Overview
- The formal selection process launched in November under General Assembly resolution 79/327 requires nominations with vision statements, CVs and financing disclosures, followed by public interactive dialogues.
- Argentina has formally nominated IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the only declared candidate as of mid-December.
- Ban Ki-moon warned the UN risks collapse or irrelevance without Security Council reform and proposed a single, non-renewable seven-year term to bolster the Secretary-General’s independence, noting the General Assembly can set appointment terms.
- The United Kingdom called for a merit-based process and encouraged female candidates while backing the UN80 reform agenda and Council membership expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
- Brazil urged a transparent, inclusive selection and said the next Secretary-General should come from Latin America, preferably a woman, as Pakistan pressed for a strong, proactive leader who uses Article 99 early, and an academic highlighted a funding crisis constraining UN operations.