Trending Now - UN Secretary-general Hopefuls: Only Four Contenders This Week

WHO:

ABC News - Four candidates for the next secretary-general of the United Nations: Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Macky Sall.

AP News - Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile; Rafael Mariano Grossi, U.N. nuclear chief from Argentina; Rebeca Grynspan, U.N. trade chief; Macky Sall, former President of Senegal.

AP News - Richard Gowan, program director at the International Crisis Group, a U.N. watcher.

WHAT:

ABC News - Four candidates will audition for the position of U.N. secretary-general this week.

AP News - The audition process includes a three-hour question-and-answer session with ambassadors from the U.N.'s 193 member nations.

AP News - In 2016, there were 13 candidates for the position of U.N. secretary-general.

AP News - The current geopolitical climate has led to a more cautious approach from potential candidates and their sponsoring governments.

WHERE:

AP News - The auditions will take place in the General Assembly hall at the United Nations.

WHEN:

AP News - The auditions are scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, and Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.

AP News - António Guterres's second five-year term as U.N. secretary-general ends on December 31st, 2026.

AP News - The Security Council began conducting "straw polls" among candidates in late July 2016.

WHY:

AP News - The diminished stature of the United Nations and deep divisions among world powers have affected the current selection process for the secretary-general.

AP News - Richard Gowan noted that potential candidates are more cautious due to the risk of offending major powers like Washington or Beijing.

HOW:

AP News - Candidates must be nominated by a member nation, and there is no time limit for nominations.

AP News - The selection process involves recommendations from the Security Council to the General Assembly, which includes all member nations.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 11:21 UTC)

This week, four candidates will audition for the position of U.N. secretary-general in the General Assembly hall at the United Nations, including Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Macky Sall. The audition process features a three-hour question-and-answer session with ambassadors from the U.N.'s 193 member nations, reflecting a more cautious approach from candidates amid the current geopolitical climate. As António Guterres's second term concludes at the end of December, the selection process is influenced by the diminished stature of the U.N. and the deep divisions among world powers.