The election of the next United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in 2026 will unfold at a critical juncture for the multilateral system. Growing geopolitical rivalries, conflict, and financial constraints—together with diminishing political will and trust in institutions—underscore the stakes of this leadership transition for the organization. The individual chosen will shape the UN’s trajectory in the next decade and beyond, presenting a momentous opportunity to revitalize and reform the organization.
For the first time since Javier Pérez de Cuéllar left office in 1991, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is widely regarded as “next in line” under the tradition of regional rotation. In addition to normative legitimacy, the region brings strong political and diplomatic leadership and track record of multilateral engagement on sustainable development, climate, biodiversity, and peace issues. Yet political fragmentation, diverging national interests, and limited public and political engagement with the selection process could complicate the region’s ability to present a united front.
In this latest policy brief, Centro de Pensamiento Estratégico Internacional (Cepei) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York Office set out to assess the prospects for a Secretary-General from Latin America and the Caribbean and explore the interplay between regional aspirations and global power dynamics.
At a presentation event on October 22, Cepei and KAS New York convened representatives from across the UN system, Member States, think tanks, and civil society to discuss the policy brief's findings and their implications for the months ahead, as the nominations process begins.