Woman SG
Campaign to Elect a Woman UN Secretary - General
Women Nominated for Secretary General:
Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica Nominated for UN Secretary-General
Costa Rica has nominated Rebeca Grynspan as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship announced the nomination on
March 3, 2026. She is the second woman nominated in the current selection process, following Michelle Bachelet of Chile.
Grynspan has served as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and previously held senior roles in the UN system, including as Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
She has also served as the Vice President of Costa Rica.
She has indicated that she has chosen to step away from UNCTAD during hercampaign for Secretary-General. Her candidacy presents an experienced leader with a long record in multilateral cooperation and global development.
Michelle Bachelet of Chile Officially Enters UN Secretary-General Race
On February 2nd, 2026, Chilean President Gabriel Boric nominated Michelle Bachelet as a candidate for UN Secretary-General along with Brazil and Mexico.
Bachelet brings decades of experience as a two-term president of Chile and as a senior UN leader, including her roles as High Commissioner for Human Rights and head of UN Women.
She has consistently promoted democracy, human rights, and multilateral diplomacy, making her a notable, experienced, and internationally recognized candidate.
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NOTE: In early March, Chile withdrew its nomination; however, Brazil and Mexico continue to support her as a candidate.
Virginia Gamba of Argentina Nominated by the Republic of Maldives for UN Secretary-General
On March 12, 2026, the Republic of Maldives nominated Virginia Gamba of Argentina as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General. She joins the growing list of candidates in the
current selection process.
Ms. Gamba served as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict from 2017 to 2025. Throughout her career, she has held senior roles across the
UN system and international research institutions, focusing on conflict prevention, disarmament policy, and international security, including leadership positions at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
Her candidacy presents an experienced leader with a strong record in multilateral diplomacy, peace and security,and the protection of children caught up in armed conflict.
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NOTE: At the end of March, the Maldives withdrew its nomination, however another country may be stepping up.