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Story summary
- The United Nations will select its 10th secretary-general, who assumes office on Jan. 1, 2027.
- Seven candidates, four of them women, are contesting, raising prospects for the UN’s first female leader.
- A September 2025 UN resolution encourages member states to strongly consider nominating women as candidates.
- Experts note a strong likelihood that a Latin American or Caribbean candidate will be chosen under informal rotation customs.
- The Security Council must grant nine votes without a permanent-member veto to recommend a candidate.
