Selection of the UN Secretary-General

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The process of selecting the next UN Secretary-General has begun, with the UN Security Council and General Assembly jointly inviting nominations. The next SG will serve a five-year term.

Description:

Selection Process — Key Features:
(A) Nomination Stage:
  • Any UN member state may nominate a candidate.
  • No formal eligibility criteria, but regional rotation is informally followed.
    • Traditionally rotates among regions; next turn is expected for Latin America.
(B) Security Council Process:
  1. Straw Polls (Informal Voting):
    1. Conducted via secret ballots.
    1. Council members mark: Encourage / Discourage / No opinion.
    1. Helps identify candidates acceptable to the P5.
  2. P5 Veto Role:
    1. Any P5 member can effectively block a candidate.
    1. A final recommendation requires:
      1. At least 9 votes in favour, and
      1. No veto from any P5 member.

P5: USA, UK, France, Russia, China.

  • Final Recommendation:
    • The Security Council adopts a formal resolution recommending one candidate to the General Assembly.
(C) General Assembly Approval:
  • The 193-member UNGA elects the Secretary-General based on the Security Council’s recommendation.
  • Historically seen as a rubber stamp, as UNGA does not alter the recommended candidate.
3.   Additional Facts:
  • Term: Five years, eligible for re-appointment.
  • First UNSG: Trygve Lie (Norway, 1946).
  • Current UNSG (until 2026): António Guterres (Portugal).
  • SG is often selected by consensus, not competitive election.

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