Women Leading the UN: Insider's View on the Secretary-General Election Process

The 2026 UN Secretary-General Election

• 🎯 The upcoming election for the UN Secretary-General is a significant topic, especially as the current SG, Antonio Guterres, enters his last UN General Assembly.
• 💡 A key issue in the election is the possibility of the UN having its first woman Secretary-General.
• 🗓️ The decision for the next SG will be made by next year, before the next General Assembly.

The Global Women Leaders (GWL) Voices Initiative

• 🤝 Susana Malcorra, Helen Clark, and Irina Bokova founded GWL Voices after competing for the SG position in 2016 and not succeeding.
• 🚀 Their organization aims to work through the complexities of the multilateral system, focusing on the role of women.
• 🤔 The core question driving their advocacy is: "Why not a woman as Secretary-General?"

The UN Secretary-General Election Process

• 🚫 Unlike democratic national elections, the UN SG selection is not a popular vote; the decision rests with the Permanent Five (P5) members.
• ⚠️ Candidates must be liked by everyone, which is challenging in a disruptive world requiring a strong vision.
• 🗣️ Strong women leaders can be perceived as threatening, facing prejudices similar to those encountered when breaking barriers in national politics.

Challenges and Opportunities for Women Candidates

• 📉 The 2016 election saw a majority of women candidates, yet a man won, with no woman reaching the top vote.
• 🌟 Despite challenges, capable women are expected to come forward, and their campaigns in 2016 helped demonstrate that women can lead the UN.
• 📈 The process has become less transparent recently, with a potential setback in the revitalization of the General Assembly.

Vision and Leadership for the UN

• 🔑 A compelling vision for multilateralism and the UN's future is crucial for candidates.
• 🌍 Rebuilding trust in the UN and strengthening its legitimacy could be achieved by electing a woman SG.
• 💡 Candidates are advised to be themselves, be convinced of the UN's value, and act decisively, sometimes asking for forgiveness rather than permission.
• 🕊️ The role requires a leader who can advocate for peace, navigate geopolitical tensions, and understand institutional reform, especially given significant financial and legitimacy challenges.

The UN's Enduring Value

• ⚠️ The UN's budget problems are political, not financial, highlighting its essential role when no other entity can act, as seen in crises like Gaza.
• 📞 The Secretary-General possesses immense convening power and a voice that speaks to the moral integrity of civilization.
• ✨ The UN is indispensable, and leadership is needed to rebuild and advance it in challenging times.