The United States’ (US) statement ahead of the election of a new United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has reignited a noteworthy debate on the international diplomatic stage. The Washington administration has shaken the long-standing expectation among Latin American countries that “it is their turn” by stating that the next UN Secretary-General could be selected from any region of the world. This statement has revived debates on the issue of representational justice in global institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the US mission to the UN, Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea stated that merit, not “regional rotation,” would be the basis for selecting the new secretary-general. Shea said that “for such an important position, the selection should be based entirely on competence.” This approach shows that the US seeks to create a more inclusive pool of candidates at the UN. At the same time, it is understood that Washington aims to prioritize performance criteria over geographical priorities in institutional leadership.[i]
This statement by the US signaled a fundamental change in diplomatic tradition. Historically, the position of UN Secretary-General has been transferred with regard to regional balance. The view that Latin America and the Caribbean were next in line was accepted as a natural extension of this balance. However, the US’s recent statement has been interpreted as indicating that “rotation is a tradition, not an obligation.” Washington thus sought to establish a more flexible framework for the electoral process.
Latin American countries have long believed that they deserve this position, as they have never had a representative appointed to it since the establishment of the UN Secretariat in 1945. Ricardo Moscoso, Panama’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, clearly stated this situation in his remarks. Moscoso emphasized that the leadership experience of developing countries should be recognized and stated that Latin America and the Caribbean should be highlighted this time.[ii]
The region’s countries have long demanded a greater say in global governance. This demand is not merely for symbolic representation, but also for a fair share in global decision-making processes. Latin America has sought to bring its experiences on issues such as sustainable development, climate justice, and social inequality to the world stage. Therefore, the appointment of a new secretary-general from Latin America represents not only prestige for the region but also a historical balancing act.
The statements made by Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, supported the US position. Nebenzia stated that regional rotation is a “tradition,” although it is not a binding rule. His words, “Latin Americans have a moral right for this term, but there is no obstacle to candidates from other regions,” showed that Moscow is approaching the issue with diplomatic flexibility. Furthermore, Nebenzia’s emphasis that “merit comes before gender” demonstrated the need for a qualified and gender-balanced evaluation process in the upcoming election.[iii]
Russia’s stance has been interpreted as a balanced perspective in a multipolar world order. This is because Moscow both views Latin America’s demands as legitimate and advocates for the candidacy process to be conducted according to universal standards. In this regard, Russia’s statements have lent a conciliatory diplomatic tone to the process.
There has never been a female Secretary-General in the history of the UN. This situation has long been criticized. Denmark’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Christina Markus Lassen, stressed the importance of gender equality in the process, saying, “After 80 years, it is time for a woman to head this institution.”[iv]
Latin American countries have been in an advantageous position in this regard. Figures such as Chile’s former President Michelle Bachelet and Costa Rica’s former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan have been seen as strong candidates both regionally and in terms of gender representation. These two figures have both gained leadership experience at the national level and held influential positions in international institutions. Therefore, Latin America has not only stated that it is “our turn” in this race, but has also made a significant contribution to the process with its qualified candidate profiles.
Although the election of the UN Secretary-General is theoretically open to nominations from all member states, in practice the process has been guided by the Security Council. No candidate could be elected without the approval of the five permanent members: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. This structure has been important in terms of both stability and the balance of power.
The UN Security Council and the President of the UN General Assembly will issue a joint letter by the end of the year calling for candidates. Candidates will be nominated by one UN member state each. Once this process becomes official, diplomatic circles will become even more active. Latin American countries are expected to act as a united bloc. Indeed, regional solidarity has been decisive in strengthening candidates in past elections.
From the perspective of the Washington administration, the shaping of UN leadership has directly affected the US’s international position. The Donald Trump administration has aimed to restructure the institution under the slogan of “increasing the effectiveness” of the UN. The US wanted the new secretary-general to have a profile that was “open to reform as well as multilateral cooperation.” This did not mean that the US wanted to downsize or control the organization, but rather reflected its desire for effective and results-oriented management.
This approach has been an extension of the US’s efforts to strengthen its role in the UN. Washington has demanded that the new secretary-general demonstrate leadership capable of responding quickly and flexibly to global crises. This has brought the concept of “meritocracy” to the forefront during the selection process.
Latin American countries viewed this process as a “test of regional solidarity.” Though countries like Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico have different diplomatic approaches, the general consensus during this period has been to support a candidate from the region. However, past experiences have shown that political differences within Latin America have sometimes made it difficult to reach a mutual agreement on a single candidate. Nevertheless, the countries in the region are aware that they are at a historic turning point.
Bachelet’s international reputation on human rights and Grynspan’s experience at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean have demonstrated that Latin America has strong cards to play this time around.
In conclusion, the race for the UN Secretary-General position has been not only a leadership selection process but also a reflection of the quest for global representation and justice. The US call for “a candidate from every region” has contributed to the promotion of the principle of merit in international politics. However, Latin America’s historical expectations are also based on legitimate grounds.
Regardless of which region the candidate comes from in the upcoming process, the new Secretary-General’s job description has been shaped within a more complex global order. Issues such as the climate crisis, migration, wars, and economic inequalities have made effective leadership by the UN more necessary than ever.
Latin America sought not just a seat at the table during this process, but broader representation in the global vision. The meritocratic approach of the US and the balanced stance of Russia have demonstrated that the process has taken on a multipolar character. Ultimately, this race has opened the door to a new era in the history of international diplomacy. If the UN can combine representational justice and the principle of merit, it will further strengthen its global legitimacy.
[i] Nichols, Michelle. “US Urges Global Race for Next UN Chief in Move Likely to Annoy Latin America”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-urges-global-race-next-un-chief-move-likely-annoy-latin-america-2025-10-24, (Access Date: 26.10.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
