Launch: Who Can Lead a Disarrayed World? Electing the Next UN Secretary-General

In 2026, United Nations member states will elect the next Secretary-General. Leading the world’s most representative and comprehensive institution is often referred to as “the most impossible job in the world”. It has become more complicated as the UN is currently under ever-increasing financial and political pressure, exacerbated by the general loss of legitimacy and trust that the rules-based international order musters. 

Against this geopolitical backdrop, FES New York commissioned a study by professor Anjali Dayal (Fordham University) to assess the challenges for the next SG selection process. The publication elaborates on the requirements and experiences that candidates should be equipped with; identifies potentials and hurdles for meaningful reform of the SG selection; and, towards that end, provides arguments and policy recommendations to forge coalitions among UN member states, academia, and civil society. 

This event – co-organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva Office, the Graduate Institute’s Law Department, and the Global Governance Centre – marked the Geneva launch of the study. It provided a platform to discuss how the upcoming selection process is perceived from Geneva’s unique vantage point as a hub of multilateral diplomacy. Participants reflected on what insights and perspectives the Geneva community can contribute to the global conversation on UN leadership and legitimacy. Among others, the following takeaways were identified:

• Political leadership is essential: The next UN Secretary-General (SG) must possess strong political and governmental skills to steer the UN through turbulent global waters. Panelists emphasized political vision and pragmatic advocacy over administrative expertise, which should largely be delegated to the Deputy SG as the new SG will be “Joining a moving train” and must not be absorbed by ongoing internal reform processes and instead focus on strategic leadership.
• Preference for a woman candidate: As Anjali Dayal noted, “Why did we only have men in the position for 80 years if candidates were chosen by merit?” However, gender equality should not be the explicit centerpiece of campaign messaging to avoid backlash by anti-gender-equity actors.
• Championing UN values—strategically communicated: While maintaining a low-profile campaign stance, the new SG must, once in office, strongly defend the UN Charter, core values, peace and security, the SDGs, and human rights. The SG should be an effective, dynamic communicator—“a Trojan horse for principles”.
• Transparent, participatory selection process: Public engagement and clear narratives are essential to demonstrate why a global institution like the UN matters—from day to day issues like communication, safe air travel, to human rights, trade, and humanitarian assistance.
• Multiple nominees for the General Assembly: The Security Council should present several candidates for the General Assembly to choose from to have in fact an election. A return to opaque, backroom decision-making would damage the SG’s legitimacy and weaken support for multilateral, rights-based global governance.

Opening 

• Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform / Geneva
  Academy
• Renate Tenbusch, Director, FES Geneva
   

Panelists 

• Anjali Dayal, Associate Professor of International Politics, Fordham University New
  York and author of the study
• Robert Piper, former Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Solutions to
  Internal Displacement

• Laurel Townhead, Director, Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) Geneva

  Moderation: Nico Krisch, Graduate Institute