UN Charter Sets Two-Step Process for Next Secretary-General

The UN Charter sets a strict path for choosing the next Secretary-General. Article 97 requires the Security Council to recommend a candidate first. Then, the General Assembly must formally appoint that person. This process governs the search for António Guterres’s successor.

Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026. New rules from 2025 add transparency to this process. According to Diplomacy and Law, these rules require public identification of candidates. This ensures member states can question nominees before the final vote.

Two Organs Share Power

Neither body can complete the appointment alone. The Security Council cannot appoint the leader directly. The Assembly cannot usually choose someone without a Council recommendation. This split creates a system of checks and balances.

The Council acts as a filter for candidates. It identifies a specific individual for the Assembly to consider. This limits the Assembly’s choice to a single recommendation. The process is often called an election, but it is legally distinct.

Veto Power Shapes Outcomes

A negative vote by any permanent Council member blocks the recommendation. This veto power gives major nations decisive influence. They can prevent a candidate from moving forward. Informal straw polls help gauge support before this formal step.

Diplomatic negotiations focus on qualifications and priorities. Governments express preferences during these talks. These exchanges do not create a formal recommendation. Only the Council’s official decision triggers the Assembly’s role.

Transparency Measures Added in 2025

Resolution 69/321 in 2015 introduced interactive dialogues. Candidates face questions from member states. The 2025 resolution expanded these transparency requirements. Public presentations now help assess candidates’ readiness. These steps ensure a broader review before the Council acts.