UN Secretary‑General candidates unveiled for 2027 appointment

The United Nations will select its 10th Secretary‑General later this year for a five‑year term beginning on 1 January 2027, succeeding António Guterres. Two candidates have so far announced their bids.

Rafael Grossi, a 65‑year‑old Argentine diplomat who has served as Director‑General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for six years, is widely regarded as the frontrunner. He oversaw negotiations to preserve parts of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord after the United States withdrew in 2018 and arranged for an IAEA team to be deployed to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, now under Russian control. Grossi has cultivated relations with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a vital factor for the appointment.

Rebeca Grynspan, a 70‑year‑old former Vice‑President of Costa Rica and head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), would become the first woman to hold the post if elected. She emphasizes gender equality, multilateral reform and a more agile UN. Grynspan has temporarily withdrawn from her UNCTAD duties to avoid conflicts of interest during the campaign.