The United Nations is set to elect a new secretary-general for a five-year term commencing January 1, 2027, with the selection process involving nominations from member states and a rigorous evaluation by the Security Council. Candidates are required to submit vision statements and participate in public interactive dialogues, a move towards greater transparency in the historically opaque selection. Potential candidates include Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Macky Sall of Senegal, with a growing push for the first female secretary-general. The Security Council will conduct straw polls to reach a consensus among its five permanent members, who hold veto power, before formally recommending a candidate to the General Assembly for approval.