who is likely to be the next secretary general?

The next Secretary-General is still uncertain, but the strongest public-facing contenders right now appear to include Rebeca Grynspan , Michelle Bachelet , Maria Fernanda Espinosa , and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. The selection process is underway, and the UN says a new Secretary-General will be chosen in 2026, with António Guterres’ term ending on 31 December 2026.

What the field looks like

Recent reporting shows active candidate briefings and informal dialogues at the UN, which is usually a sign the race is moving from speculation to real positioning. Reuters also noted that several candidates are stressing UN renewal, human rights, and institutional reform as core themes in their pitches. That means the outcome may depend less on one obvious frontrunner and more on which candidate can build broad support among member states.

Who seems most viable

• Rebeca Grynspan : Often described as one of the more prominent women in the race, and part of the group repeatedly discussed in current coverage.

• Michelle Bachelet : Her name is consistently mentioned in recent coverage of leading female candidates.

• Maria Fernanda Espinosa : Also repeatedly cited among the better-known contenders.

• Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett : Recently featured in an official UN dialogue related to the selection process.

Likely direction

If you mean “who is most likely” in a practical sense, the best answer is that there is no settled favorite yet , but the conversation is clearly leaning toward a candidate with broad diplomatic acceptability and a strong reform message. Because the UN process is highly political, momentum can change quickly after member-state consultations and informal testing of support.

Bottom line

Right now, the safest read is: Rebeca Grynspan and Michelle Bachelet look like two of the most plausible names to watch, but the race is still open.