# The race to lead the United Nations

> With António Guterres stepping down, seven candidates are competing to lead the world's most powerful diplomatic body at a moment of global crisis.
- Title: The race to lead the United Nations · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: With António Guterres stepping down, seven candidates are competing to lead the world's most powerful diplomatic body at a moment of global crisis. The next…
- Keywords: united nations, secretary-general, antonio guterres, global diplomacy, security council, candidate race, international affairs, conflict resolution, climate change, artificial intelligence, race, lead
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/23/un-secretary-general-race-guterres
- Author: Connor Greene
- Published: 2026-09-23T17:40:15.292+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: united nations, secretary-general, antonio guterres, global diplomacy, security council, candidate race, international affairs, conflict resolution, climate change, artificial intelligence
## Guterres bids farewell
After nearly a decade as UN Secretary-General, António Guterres delivered his final address to the General Assembly, calling for climate action, Middle East de-escalation, and AI regulation.

> I will keep championing the conviction that peace is possible.
## A world in crisis awaits
The successor takes office as global conflicts hit their highest level since World War II, with record fatalities, climate emergencies, AI concerns, and a UN funding crisis.
## How the selection works
Member states nominate candidates who then face televised hearings before the Security Council. The council uses anonymous straw polls to gauge support, then recommends one candidate to the General Assembly for appointment.
## Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett
Guyana's permanent UN representative since 2020 and former foreign minister, Birkett emphasizes refocusing on core UN principles and building a more agile organization.
## Rebeca Grynspan
Costa Rica's former vice president and current UN trade and development secretary-general, Grynspan's platform centers on making the UN more useful, agile, and accountable.
## Ivonne A-Baki
Ecuador's longtime diplomat and twice US ambassador, nominated by Tonga, A-Baki calls for institutional renewal rather than reform, citing her role in the 1998 Ecuador-Peru peace settlement.

> Where others speak of reform, I speak of renewal.
## María Fernanda Espinosa
Ecuador's former foreign and defense minister and 2018 UN General Assembly president, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda, Espinosa focuses on peace, development, digital transformation, and rebuilding UN credibility.
## Rafael Mariano Grossi
Argentine diplomat and International Atomic Energy Agency director since 2019, Grossi calls for a results-oriented UN grounded in facts rather than declarations.
## Olara Otunnu and Macky Sall
Uganda's former UN representative Otunnu views reform as imperative. Senegal's ex-president Sall, who chaired the African Union, aims to restore trust in multilateralism and link peace with development.
## No clear frontrunner yet
Recent straw polls favor Grynspan and Birkett, but without overwhelming support. Experts warn that late-entering candidates may still join the race, though they'll lack time to build momentum.
## The P5 hold the power
China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US can veto candidates before recommendation to the General Assembly. Their support is critical, and potential late entrants like Amina Mohammed face time constraints.
## Immense challenges ahead
Whoever wins will inherit a fragmented global landscape with record conflicts, climate crises, and AI concerns. The next secretary-general will be tested immediately.

> You have a really fragmented global landscape.
## Key takeaway

The next UN Secretary-General will take office amid record global conflicts, climate emergencies, and AI concerns, with the Security Council's five permanent members holding veto power over the choice.