Who Will Lead the UN? Meet the 8 Candidates to Replace António Guterres
Guterres leaves office on December 31, 2026. 1. Rebeca Grynspan | Costa Rica Former Costa Rican vice president and current head of UN Trade and Development. A veteran diplomat of Jewish heritage with
Assessment
The race to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General is underway, with eight candidates now in the field. Guterres leaves office on December 31, 2026, giving the selection process a defined timeline. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, a former vice president and current head of UN Trade and Development, is one contender. Her Jewish heritage adds a notable dimension to a campaign that will test regional blocs and Security Council politics. Watch for how candidates position themselves on UN reform and major geopolitical crises.