Democracy at the helm: Why the next UN Secretary-General matters

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the institutional position of International IDEA, its Board of Advisers or its Council of Member States.

The next UN Secretary-General (UNSG) will not simply manage a complex organization; they must navigate an intricate role as both the Chief Administrative Officer and a moral anchor for a system grounded in the principles of representation, accountability, and participation—all of which are foundational to democracy. While the UN Charter implicitly embeds these values, democracy itself has often been unevenly prioritized and discussed in practice, making the Secretary-General's leadership especially consequential and vital at this moment.

But the path to the 38th floor of the secretariat building is not an easy one. The selection process for one of the toughest jobs in the world is not a popular election among the UN Member States, but an unfair diplomatic challenge. The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly only upon the recommendation of the Security Council. This gives the Permanent Five Members (P5)—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—an absolute veto based on their own political priorities. For a candidate to champion democracy, they must do so without alienating veto-wielding powers that view democracy promotion as a Western imposition or a violation of their sovereign rights. Especially given that democracy is not a formal condition for UN membership, although it is central to the legitimacy and effectiveness of multilateralism. 

Inclusive governance, civil society participation, and accountable institutions—key pillars of democracy—are essential for sustainable peace and development, and they underpin the credibility of global commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In practical terms, democracy strengthens the UN in three distinctive ways: it enhances legitimacy by ensuring that national governments reflect the will of their people; it reinforces accountability through transparency and oversight; and it improves effectiveness by enabling inclusive institutions that are better equipped to deliver long-term development results. Unfortunately, as these principles come under increasing strain around the world, the UN’s ability to act collectively is also weakened. The next leader must bridge the gap between the UN’s democratic aspirations and a membership that includes democracies, as well as monarchies, one-party states, and military juntas.

The Secretary-General, therefore, occupies a unique position within this landscape. The role is not necessarily politically neutral—it requires balancing the interests of Member States while upholding the values enshrined in the UN system. This tension is precisely where democratic leadership becomes critical. A Secretary-General committed to democratic principles can elevate the voices of civil society, defend electoral integrity and the rule of law, advocate for human rights and broader political participation, and carefully push back against authoritarian tendencies without undermining the consensus necessary for multilateral action. In doing so, the UNSG can help restore trust in international cooperation at a time when it is urgently needed.

Based on the UN General Assembly's interactive dialogues with the candidates for the position of Secretary-General, their vision statements, and resumes, the leading candidates reflect different approaches to democracy within multilateral leadership. Michelle Bachelet (Chile) brings a strong normative orientation, grounded in her experience advancing human rights and gender equality. Her record suggests a clear commitment to democratic values, although this emphasis may provoke resistance from states wary of rights-based scrutiny. Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina) offers a more technical approach, shaped by his experience in nuclear diplomacy. While this may appeal to major powers and facilitate pragmatic cooperation, his vision places less explicit emphasis on democracy and human rights, potentially raising questions about how strongly these issues would feature in his leadership. Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) focuses on rebuilding trust in multilateralism, with a background that links governance to economic inclusion and development. Her consensus-oriented style is a strength in a polarized environment, though democracy is not always foregrounded explicitly in her framing. Macky Sall (Senegal) emphasizes equity and representation for the Global South, bringing political and diplomatic experience at the highest levels. However, his domestic record presents a more mixed picture on democratic governance, and his approach may prioritize development and structural inequalities over institutional democratic reform.

At the same time, the question of who leads the UN is inseparable from the question of representation itself. Appointing a woman as the next Secretary-General would not simply be a symbolic milestone, but a substantive affirmation of democratic principles. Gender equality is a defining feature of high-performing democracies, reflecting the extent to which political systems ensure equal participation, representation, and voice. Despite decades of commitments, the UN has never had a woman serve as Secretary-General. Addressing this gap would send a powerful signal that the organization is willing to align its leadership with the values it promotes globally. It could also strengthen the credibility of the UN’s work on gender equality and inclusive governance, particularly in relation to SDG 5. More broadly, it would reinforce the principle that democracy requires the meaningful inclusion of all segments of society in decision-making processes, including at the highest levels of global leadership.

Insights from International IDEA reinforce that democracy is not peripheral to the UN system but fundamental to its resilience and survival. Democratic institutions contribute directly to peace and stability by reducing the likelihood of conflict and enabling peaceful dispute resolution. They strengthen institutional trust at a time when confidence in governance is declining globally. They ensure inclusivity by allowing diverse voices to shape decision-making, and they provide the accountability mechanisms necessary to track progress on international commitments. Perhaps most importantly, as fewer Member States actively champion democracy within UN forums, the responsibility to uphold these principles increasingly falls on other independent institutions and organizations within the system itself.

The choice of the next Secretary-General will therefore shape not only the operational effectiveness of the United Nations but also its normative direction. At a moment when democratic language is becoming less prominent in global diplomacy, there is a real risk that multilateralism could drift toward a more transactional model focused on managing power rather than advancing shared principles. Upholding democracy—through participation, accountability, inclusion, and equality—is not an optional agenda item. It is the foundation upon which effective and legitimate multilateralism depends. Without it, the UN may continue to function, but may struggle to lead and remain relevant.