By Enowbachem Agbortanyi
The 2026 selection of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has reignited global discussions about leadership, representation, and the future direction of multilateral governance. Despite eight decades of existence, the UN has never been led by a woman, raising important questions about gender equity and inclusivity within the world’s foremost international organization.
Introduction
With the current United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, wrapping up his mandate by December 2026, there is a need for an appropriate candidate to succeed him, one that will be consistent with the UN’s values and mission. Having existed for more than 80 years, the United Nations has yet to have a female Secretary-General, highlighting the existing disparity in values and practices. This article argues that the appointment of a female Secretary-General would not only serve as an important corrective step but also strengthen the organization in terms of legitimacy and accountability. In addition, women’s leadership qualities, which involve cooperation and long-term conflict resolution, make a perfect fit for the UN’s mandate.
Context: A critical leadership transition
The present Secretary-General, António Guterres, is due to end his second term in December 2026, initiating a worldwide search for the next candidate. Principles of increased transparency and inclusiveness characterize the procedure, and it involves nomination by member states followed by endorsement by the Security Council and the General Assembly. This situation emerges against the background of deep global challenges, including geopolitical competition, reduced multilateralism, climate emergencies, the erosion of democracy, and funding issues within the UN system. Such a scenario necessitates transformative leadership.
For the first time, several outstandingly qualified women have emerged as top contenders. In particular, many declared candidates are women, demonstrating the conscious efforts of the international community to ensure gender equality. Moreover, it must be noted that during the almost 80 years of its existence, the United Nations has never been led by a woman. Despite the persistent recommendations of member states, there has never been a female Secretary-General.
This brief aims to echo the need for the global body to implement its message of gender equality even at the helm of the organisation, not just at the level of agencies. It provides several reasons why it is most timely for a woman to be the 10th SG of the UN, as well as considerations during selection and validation at the various stages.
Why a female Secretary-General?
- Correcting historical gender imbalance
Ever since its formation in 1945, the UN has had nine Secretary-Generals – all men, beginning from Trygve Lie of Norway to the incumbent Antonio Guterres from Portugal, notwithstanding multiple appeals for parity in leadership appointments. The gender gap in leadership in the UN has continued unabated, despite its norms of equality, as reflected in the Charter of the UN and other frameworks such as CEDAW. UN data reveals that women occupy just 28% of managerial leadership positions globally.
Appointing a female Secretary-General would therefore represent not merely symbolic progress but a substantive correction of institutional inequity. It would demonstrate that the UN is willing to embody the values it promotes, thereby strengthening its credibility. Moreover, it would send a powerful signal to member states, particularly those where women remain excluded from political leadership, that gender parity is both achievable and necessary. The appointment of a female Secretary-General would move beyond symbolic progress to a substantive correction of institutional injustice. It would also signal that the organization is ready to align its values with its practices, strengthening its credibility. In addition, this move will serve as a clear message to other member countries, especially those where women still face many obstacles to participating in politics.
- Enhancing institutional legitimacy and trust
With increasing distrust in the UN, the issue of leadership legitimacy has become highly significant. The UN is facing increasing criticism among the member countries as well as the global community due to its detachment from the current issues. The appointment of a female to the position of the Secretary-General may restore the prestige by making sure that its leadership reflects the expectations of society. The diversity in leadership may tend to increase organizational effectiveness and public support. According to a 2020 report by the World Economic Forum, gender diversity in organizations promotes innovation and responsiveness. The UN will position itself as a forward-looking institution that is able to not just preach but adjust to changing global norms, including breaking the pattern of male dominance.
- Leadership style and conflict resolution
A growing body of evidence indicates that women often bring distinct leadership approaches characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, and consensus-building. While leadership effectiveness is not inherently gender-specific, studies in political science and organizational behavior suggest that female leaders tend to prioritize dialogue and long-term stability—qualities essential in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. For example, the Council on Foreign Relations claims that women’s participation in peace processes increases the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years by 20% and a peace agreement lasting fifteen years by 35%. Given the UN’s key role in mediating conflict, such leadership qualities are most relevant. A female Secretary-General could therefore bring a renewed emphasis on preventive diplomacy and inclusive peacebuilding strategies.
- Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, introduced by UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, highlights the role of women in peace processes and security. Even though there have been some achievements, implementation has remained inconsistent because women are often underrepresented in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction.
A female Secretary-General can play a key role in promoting the WPS agenda through its full integration into the activities of the United Nations. She can thus make sure that gender perspective is not regarded as a secondary issue but a fundamental one in the context of global security. Moreover, the United Nations Security Council has recognized the significance of leadership in implementing the WPS agenda on multiple occasions.
Barriers to change
However, there are various reasons why the appointment of a woman as Secretary-General still remains a challenge. The influence of the Permanent five members of the Security Council with veto powers makes geopolitical factors more important than normative factors. The informal process of selecting a new leader can adversely affect the candidates without the support of the great powers.
Furthermore, the combination of regional rotation and gender can lead to a reduction in efforts towards change. Although a Latin American candidate enjoys considerable support, this does not necessarily mean that a female candidate will also have widespread acceptance. Opposition continues to exist among member states that emphasize merit over representation as a criterion, even though the two factors are not mutually exclusive.
Conclusion
The appointment of the next UN Secretary-General in 2026 will be a turning point in this global institution. Given the number of women contesting for this position, this process can serve as an important step towards the election of the first woman as the Secretary-General of the UN. This will not only help to correct the long-time imbalance that has existed from creation with 9 male Secretary-Generals, but it will also contribute to the improved legitimacy of the organization and its leadership potential. In the context of the growing complexity of global problems, inclusive and transformative leadership becomes particularly important, and appointing a female Secretary-General will better position the UN to address these global contemporary problems.
Enowbachem Agbortanyi
Enowbachem Agbortanyi is a Policy Analyst with the Peace and Security Division at the Nkafu Policy Institute. He holds a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Gothenburg and is a Swedish Institute Alumnus. His work spans roles at Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), and research contributions to the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) and the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD) both in Sweden.
