UN seeks new leader in year of deep crisis
As world leaders gather in New York, the organisation begins the transition after António Guterres.
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The United Nations opens its annual debate on Tuesday amid wars, financial problems and growing concerns about artificial intelligence. At the same time, member states are seeking a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends in late 2026.
The 81st UN General Assembly began on 8 September; the high-level debate starts on Tuesday in New York. Its theme is restoring trust and managing change effectively. According to the EU, countries must work towards a more effective and inclusive multilateral system based on the UN Charter and international law.
The timing makes the leadership change important. Guterres has been Secretary-General since 2017 and his second term ends on 31 December 2026. The UN has formally opened the selection process and is publishing the nominated candidates, their CVs and vision statements. The procedure runs through the General Assembly and the Security Council; an appointment is therefore not a direct election by the world’s population.
According to news agency AP, no clear favourite has yet emerged. The candidates are being assessed at a time when the balance of power within the organisation is under discussion. The Security Council is dominated by five permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France. Reform of that structure is widely debated, but politically difficult to implement.
The problems are not only institutional. AP describes the UN as an organisation struggling to influence conflicts effectively and facing financial pressure because of outstanding contributions from, among others, the United States. According to AP, those problems have led to restrictions on peace operations and humanitarian aid. The US government has now made a payment of $725 million to the regular UN budget, the news agency reported.
In a conversation with AP, Guterres warned of three major risks: the uncontrolled development of artificial intelligence, climate change and growing inequality. He also pointed to the paralysis of the Security Council and the risk that powerful countries will disregard international law. His successor will have neither an army nor an intelligence service of their own, but can speak on behalf of the organisation and bring countries together.
The EU is backing multilateralism and reform. This includes a stronger peace and security architecture and a UN that works more efficiently and responsively. Other countries emphasise national sovereignty, cost control or a more limited role for international institutions. The choice of the next Secretary-General is therefore also a choice about the desired scope of the UN.
The outcome remains uncertain. In the coming months, member states must determine which candidate can gather sufficient support in the Security Council and subsequently in the General Assembly. The central question is not only who will lead the organisation, but also how much political room member states will give that leader to address conflicts, financial problems and new technologies collectively.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The 81st UN General Assembly is meeting in New York.
- António Guterres’s second term ends in late 2026.
- The UN selection process for a new Secretary-General has begun.
- According to AP, the organisation is facing political divisions and financial pressure.
- The EU is calling for a more effective, inclusive and rules-based multilateral system.
Left
Arguments The UN should strengthen international rules, human rights and humanitarian cooperation precisely in a divided world. From this perspective, a new leader should be given more room to prevent conflicts, coordinate climate policy and hold powerful countries to international law.
Values International solidarity, human rights and collective responsibility.
Consequences More resources and a more representative UN could address global problems more effectively, but would also require states to be willing to share sovereignty.
Centre
Arguments The organisation needs reform that is both politically feasible and administratively accountable. The institutional approach emphasises transparent selection, more efficient use of resources and practical cooperation where consensus is possible.
Values Practicality, legitimacy and gradual reform.
Consequences A realistic agenda could make the UN more stable, but risks leaving structural power differences and blockages in place.
Right
Arguments The UN should be cautious about policies that bind national governments and should clearly account for money and powers. International cooperation is useful where countries share the same interests, but from this perspective states must retain decisive control.
Values National sovereignty, democratic oversight and financial discipline.
Consequences A more limited UN role could reduce costs and bureaucracy, but could weaken the collective response to wars, climate risks and cross-border technology.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The key dates, institutional facts and financial context have been confirmed by AP, the UN and the EU. Expectations about the successor and reforms have been presented as uncertain or politically contested.
- confirmed The 81st UN General Assembly began on 8 September 2026 and the high-level debate begins on 22 September. — Stated by the Council of the EU. source
- confirmed António Guterres’s second term ends on 31 December 2026. — Stated by AP and the UN. source
- confirmed The UN is publishing candidates, CVs and vision statements for the succession. — Stated on the official UN page about the selection process. source
- confirmed The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power. — Described in AP’s background on the UN. source
- confirmed The UN is under financial pressure and the US recently paid $725 million to the regular budget. — Reported by AP. source
- confirmed Guterres named AI, climate change and inequality as major global risks. — Reported in AP’s interview with Guterres. source
- confirmed The Secretary-General has no army, but can speak on behalf of the organisation and bring countries together. — Explained by AP on the basis of its interview with Guterres. source
Editor's note
The assessment of the crisis is based on AP; the formal selection process and the EU’s priorities were checked with the UN and the Council of the EU. The eventual successor and the feasibility of reforms remain uncertain.Sources
- World leaders face global cloud of wars and AI fears at UN — Associated Press
- UN chief sees way forward in world affairs as he prepares to leave office — Associated Press
- Selection and Appointment of the Next Secretary-General — United Nations
- Algemene Vergadering van de VN, New York — Raad van de Europese Unie
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „verenigde naties”
- NOS — „verenigde naties”
- Het Parool — „verenigde naties”