How the UN chooses its next secretary-general
The Security Council recommends a candidate and the General Assembly makes the appointment.
The next United Nations secretary-general is due to take office in January 2027, after António Guterres's term ends on December 31. Under the UN Charter, the appointment is made by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
That division gives the 15-member council an important role before the choice reaches the full UN membership. A candidate must get sufficient council support and avoid a veto by any of the five permanent members.
The broader membership has a forum to question candidates in public dialogues. The selection combines a public discussion of what the organization needs with negotiations among the governments that make the recommendation.
