How will the next U.N. chief be chosen and who wants the job | Explained

Explore the candidates and selection process for the next U.N. Secretary-General, set to begin in 2027.

A new United Nations secretary-general will be elected this year for a five-year term starting on January 1, 2027.

Here are the candidates — and potential candidates — so far, and details on ​how the successor to current U.N. chief Antonio Guterres will be chosen:

The race formally started when Sierra Leone, then-president of the 15-member U.N. ‌Security Council, and Annalena Baerbock, president of the 193-member General Assembly, sent a joint letter soliciting nominations on November ​25.

A candidate has to be nominated by a U.N. member state.

The job traditionally rotates among regions, but when Guterres - who ⁠is from Portugal - was elected in 2016, it was supposed to be Eastern Europe’s turn. Next on the list is Latin America. However, some diplomats expect candidates from other regions.

Baerbock has asked countries to nominate candidates by April 1 so they are able to take part in so-called interactive dialogues in the week of April ‌20, which will be broadcast online.