In a world of wars and climate crisis, a new leader could save the UN. But would Trump allow it?

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

The United Nations is preparing to select its next secretary-general from a group of fifteen diplomats amid escalating global crises, including unresolved conflicts involving major powers and allegations of genocide. The new leader will face the challenge of revitalizing the UN’s influence and navigating complex geopolitical tensions as no clear frontrunner has emerged and the Security Council’s veto power complicates consensus.

In the coming weeks, the United Nations will select its next secretary-general amid an array of unprecedented global challenges. Fifteen diplomats are expected to emerge from confidential discussions at the UN headquarters in New York to announce the organization’s new leader, who will face a complex international landscape marked by ongoing conflicts, climate emergencies, and emerging security threats.

The UN currently confronts a situation in which two permanent members of the Security Council, the United States and Russia, are involved in prolonged conflicts with no clear resolution. Meanwhile, a UN commission of inquiry has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, raising question marks over the organization’s ability to effectively respond to such severe allegations. Despite this, the UN’s influence has been significantly undermined in recent years.

The tenure of António Guterres, who was appointed secretary-general a decade ago, coincided with shifting global dynamics. His previous role as the UN’s refugee chief had established him as an advocate for vulnerable populations. However, the onset of Donald Trump’s presidency brought substantial challenges to the UN’s role on the world stage. The Trump administration withdrew the United States from 31 UN bodies, including those addressing climate change and women’s health. Further, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed intentions to dismantle the International Criminal Court incrementally. The closure of USAID under Trump’s administration also drew criticism for contributing to humanitarian crises.

Additionally, the creation of Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” heightened concerns that it might undermine the UN itself. Financially, the UN faces significant strain, with Guterres warning earlier this year of an impending fiscal collapse due to unpaid member contributions, especially from the United States.

Despite these difficulties, the UN remains an essential institution. Its Framework Convention on Climate Change continues to rally global action on environmental issues, and its peacekeeping missions deploy more than 50,000 personnel in volatile regions worldwide. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs plays a critical role in facilitating aid delivery in conflict zones such as Sudan.

The UN General Assembly has also recently passed two notable resolutions: one formally recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a crime, and another adopting a new world map that more accurately represents Africa’s size. However, the views of the prospective secretary-general candidates on these decisions, as well as on critical issues like the war in Ukraine or Israel’s Gaza policies, remain undisclosed.

The selection process is complicated by the veto power held by the Security Council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—with particular emphasis on gaining approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Notably, there has been no clear frontrunner after multiple informal straw polls, and opposition to leading candidates has increased. Discussions are underway about potential outcomes if no consensus is reached—a scenario without precedent in the organization’s 80-year history.

As the UN General Assembly convenes, the world watches closely, aware that the next secretary-general will assume office at a time when the very principles underpinning the international order—multilateralism, rule of law, and global cooperation—are under profound strain.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.