Crisis-hit UN seeks next Secretary-General amid Security Council deadlock

Seven individuals are vying for the position of UN Secretary-General, succeeding António Guterres at the helm of a world organization grappling with significant crises and internal deadlock. The next leader inherits a UN tested by conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, which have exposed the Security Council's paralysis, largely due to the veto power held by its five permanent members: France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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The institution is no stronger than its member states. That is where the erosion happens and that is where the UN's reputation as a system for international coexistence fades.

António Guterres himself has voiced frustration with the Council's actions, or lack thereof. External criticism has also been harsh, with the veto power frequently questioned after Russia and the U.S. blocked resolutions related to the ongoing wars. Even the UN's own High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has described the organization as "quite dysfunctional."

"The institution is no stronger than its member states. That is where the erosion happens and that is where the UN's reputation as a system for international coexistence fades," Grandi stated in an interview last year. U.S. President Donald Trump has also labeled the UN ineffective, saying, "All they seem to do is write a strongly worded letter and then never follow up on that letter. It's empty words, and empty words don't solve wars."

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All they seem to do is write a strongly worded letter and then never follow up on that letter. It's empty words, and empty words don't solve wars.

The question remains whether a new Secretary-General can enact meaningful change. Historically, only men have held the prestigious post. While the UN has encouraged member states to nominate women, it is not a formal selection criterion. Geographic representation may also play a role, with a candidate from Latin America potentially having an advantage, given the past distribution of leaders. Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is considered a strong contender. Her stated vision for the UN emphasizes its "ability to adapt, innovate, and lead."

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its ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.