The United States has expressed its backing for a woman to potentially take on the role of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighting the absence of any valid reasons against such a selection. A senior US envoy affirmed that the current climate allows for a female candidate to be considered for this prominent position.

During a recent press briefing hosted by the New York Foreign Press Centre, US Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Ambassador Dan Negrea, discussed the Biden administration’s stance on the Secretary-General selection. Negrea stated, “Could be a woman, absolutely. There is no reason why not,” reinforcing the nation’s commitment to gender inclusivity in leadership roles.

The discussions take place amidst the ongoing selection process, wherein seven candidates are in the running for the UN’s top role, including five women. This marks a significant moment in the UN’s history, where the possibility of a female Secretary-General is gaining traction, a position that has never been held by a woman in the organisation’s 80-year existence.

Current Candidates for the Role

Among the candidates competing for the position are several notable figures. These include Michelle Bachelet, a former President of Chile and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and former Vice President of Costa Rica; and Mara Fernanda Espinosa Garcs, a former President of the UN General Assembly.

Other prominent names include Virginia Gamba, who has held various roles within the UN, including Special Advisor on Prevention of Genocide, and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN. Additionally, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal, are also on the list of candidates vying for this significant post.

The current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, originally took office in 2017 and is scheduled to complete his second five-year term in December 2026. Guterres, who served as Prime Minister of Portugal prior to his tenure at the UN, is the ninth individual to hold this office.

Importance of the Selection Process

Ambassador Negrea commented on the critical nature of this selection process, noting that the US is actively involved in assessing the candidates. He emphasized that identifying the right leader for the UN is a priority, indicating the level of attention being given by US officials to this matter. The ambassador revealed that although Secretary of State Marco Rubio has yet to meet the candidates, other high-ranking officials, including US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, have had discussions with several of them.

Negrea further highlighted the significance of the position, stating, “It’s a crucial, crucial matter on the efficiency of a very important international organisation.” This underscores the understanding within the US government of the global implications that come with selecting the next Secretary-General.

Moreover, a UN General Assembly resolution passed in September of the previous year acknowledged, “with regret,” the lack of a female Secretary-General to date and called for member states to actively consider putting forward women as candidates. While there is no formal mechanism for regional rotation in selecting the Secretary-General, strong suggestions have been made that the next candidate should ideally emerge from Latin America.

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