This article, originally published by Southern Voice, examines the UN Secretary-General selection process against the backdrop of the current crisis of multilateral leadership and reflects the authors’ joint analysis at the time of publication.

Women leaders from all regions and backgrounds gathered in Madrid this week to advocate for a gender-equal international system and to mobilise for the appointment of the UN’s first woman Secretary-General. 

On 26 January, 1 for 8 Billion briefed UK Parliamentarians on the upcoming Secretary-General selection process at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the United Nations.

The President of the General Assembly has announced that she will hold hearings for candidates during the week beginning 20 April 2026.

1 for 8 Billion has put together a comprehensive set of resources on the formal qualifications and person specification for the role of Secretary-General, and recommendations for the structuring and assessment of vision statements and candidate hearings. 

On 15 December, during the Security Council’s open debate on “Leadership for Peace” states discussed the competencies and skills required for the next leader of the United Nations while outlining proposals to make the current selection process more inclusive and transparent.