Who Can Lead a Disarrayed World? Electing the Next UN Secretary-General

June 25, 1:15-2:45 PM | Church Center for the United Nations, New York

In 2026, United Nations member states will select the next Secretary-General. Often described as “the most impossible job in the world”, the position now comes with heightened challenges, as the UN faces mounting financial and political pressures amid declining trust in the rules-based international order.

Against this backdrop, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York commissioned a study by Professor Anjali Dayal (Fordham University) to assess the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming SG selection process. The publication explores the qualifications and experience candidates should bring, examines prospects for meaningful reform, and provides policy recommendations to build coalitions among UN member states, civil society, and academia.

The event opened with welcome remarks by Matthias Jobelius, Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung New York Office. This was followed by an input from Anjali Dayal, Associate Professor of International Politics at Fordham University, who authored the newly released study. The discussion was moderated by Colum Lynch, Senior Global Reporter at Devex

Commentary was provided by distinguished panelists:
H.E. Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations;
H.E. Cornel Feruţă, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations; and
Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group