UN prepares to select new Secretary‑General as Guterres' term ends

The United Nations is set to choose a new Secretary‑General after António Guterres completes his second term in December 2026. The selection process will involve deliberations in the General Assembly and negotiations among Security Council members, with all member states called upon to endorse the most suitable candidate.

Analysts in Kathmandu and Mauritius note that the incoming leader will face pressing challenges such as economic turbulence, super‑power rivalries, artificial‑intelligence governance, inequality, climate change, and the need for Security Council reform. For the first time, three women are among the declared candidates, highlighting a shift in the traditionally male‑dominated field. The outcome is seen as a pivotal moment for multilateral cooperation and the future direction of the UN.