Editor\u2019s Note: Nicole Crawford is a young expert in the Global Governance Innovation Network. This commentary is part of the GGIN\u2019s Next Generation Experts series, which aims to elevate youth research and writing. Nicole Crawford\u2019s interest and research center on global security, gender equality, and foreign policy.<\/p>\n
By Rebecca Snyder, Research Associate, Global Governance, Justice and Security Program<\/p>\n
Against the backdrop of declining public trust in multilateralism, the 2026 Secretary-General (S-G) race takes on new urgency. Yet, after eight decades, the position of S-G has never been held by a woman. On November 25th, a joint letter<\/a> from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council formally set in motion the 2026 S-G election, encouraging Member States to nominate women candidates. Three candidates have been nominated so far: Michelle Bachelet<\/a> of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan<\/a> of Costa Rica, and Rafael Grossi<\/a> of Argentina. Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has led the UN as Secretary-General since 2016, but with his term coming to an end in 2027, is the UN ready for a woman to hold the title?\u00a0<\/p>\n As multilateralism loses trust, the UN needs an S-G whose problem-solving, discipline, and coalition-building<\/a> can restore the UNs credibility across peace, security, and humanitarian action agendas. In an era of rising geopolitical tension<\/a>, electing a woman S-G would signal that the UN is committed to addressing today\u2019s challenges with renewed leadership rather than remaining constrained by its male-dominated past.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The Secretary-General\u2019s Role: Power, Voice, and Judgment<\/p>\n The S-G is described as the UN\u2019s \u201cchief administrative officer<\/a>,\u201d but the role also shapes global priorities and challenges Member State behavior when necessary. Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has placed climate at the center of the UN agenda during his term, advocating for net-zero emissions by 2050, convening high-level summits<\/a>, raising climate finance goals to $1.3 trillion<\/a>, and linking climate and food security through the Black Sea Grain Initiative<\/a>. These examples underscore the S-G\u2019s capacity to set global priorities and drive multilateral action.<\/p>\n The next S-G must sustain ambition on the SDGs while confronting a severe financial and legitimacy crisis. The UN faces $760 million in unpaid assessments<\/a>, a $577 million budget shortfall<\/a>, and only 18% of SDGs on track for 2030<\/a> due to a $2.5\u20134 trillion<\/a> annual financing gap. The Pact for the Future<\/a> provides a strong consensus-driven roadmap and commitment to multilateralism, but its true value will depend on rigorous implementation following its adoption in September 2024. The next S-G must demonstrate that even under a reduced budget and operational strain, the UN can still deliver measurable progress, or otherwise risk losing its remaining credibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n Why Has a Woman Never Been Elected?<\/p>\n Despite the UN Charter Preamble claiming equality by stating \u201cWe the Peoples of the United Nations<\/a>,\u201d it has never elected a woman to its highest office. Evident in the 2016 S-G election, several accomplished female candidates \u2013 some arguably more experienced than the final nominee, Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/a> \u2013 were sidelined by the P5\u2019s veto power, which ended their campaigns. The results of the 2016 S-G election disappointed those who were eager for the first female S-G and showcased that gender bias will remain a barrier. Female leaders are proven to bring strength in problem-solving, conflict resolution, coalition-building, and empathy<\/a>, but too often, implicit gender bias favors men over equally qualified women in a \u201cparadox of meritocracy<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Why 2026 Matters<\/p>\n The 2026 election comes at a pivotal moment, as climate change, Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, conflict in Gaza, Sudan\u2019s humanitarian crisis, and democratic backsliding<\/a> are destabilizing regions. As the UN faces a deep financial crisis, impeding its ability to meet SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, along with mistrust from the international community, the new S-G needs to elevate global priorities, lead on peace and security, and mobilize humanitarian responses<\/a> with courage and coalition-building.<\/p>\n If the \u201crule\u201d of regional rotation applies<\/a> \u2014 where the S-G role rotates among the UN\u2019s five geographic regions \u2014 it\u2019s Latin America\u2019s turn. The recent and historic democratic elections<\/a> of two female presidents, Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico and Xiomara Castro in Honduras, demonstrate the region\u2019s growing commitment to inclusive governance. Since being elected, Sheinbaum has proclaimed an \u201cera of women<\/a>,\u201d secured constitutional reforms for women\u2019s substantive equality, and established a ministry-level office for women\u2019s issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n In this context, electing a woman is both symbolic and strategic. At a moment when global cooperation is failing, a strong female leader could usher in a revitalized era of diplomacy and collective action. As the Pact for the Future<\/a> urges Member States to recommit to preventative diplomacy<\/a>, electing a strong female leader would reposition the UN as an active, credible leader in global governance and demonstrate the organization\u2019s commitment to gender equality.\u00a0<\/p>\n Building Early Consensus<\/p>\n As observed in the 2016 S-G election, many qualified female candidates were vetoed while consensus coalesced around a single male nominee. With the final decision resting in the hands of the P5 and their political interests, the priority now is ensuring that each female candidate has a genuine opportunity to compete on equal terms. Recent reforms, such as requiring CVs, vision statements, and financial disclosures<\/a> being made publicly available have strengthened transparency, but they alone cannot counteract the P5 influence over candidate selection<\/a>. Member States and civil society can build on these reforms by building early consensus around a single female candidate, encouraging her to engage in informal dialogues with Member States<\/a>, helping her secure coordinated support, and enabling her to lead decisively under political and public scrutiny<\/a>. These steps will not override P5 preferences, but they can help ensure the process is not predetermined and that qualified women are evaluated on merit.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Chance to Lead by Example<\/p>\n A female Secretary-General will not solve every institutional or geopolitical challenge, but electing a strong woman signals that the UN could lead by example. For decades, the organization has urged Member States to expand women\u2019s leadership and promote gender equality. In 2026, the organization has the chance to follow its own advice and shape the future of multilateralism. A female S-G would reflect nearly half the world\u2019s population<\/a>, introduce fresh perspectives into global problem-solving, and navigate institutional hurdles with skill, authority, and resilience. After 80 years, the question is no longer whether the world is ready for a woman Secretary-General, it is whether the UN is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s Note: Nicole Crawford is a young expert in the Global Governance Innovation Network. 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