Farewell letter to the UN
Baerbock blames the Security Council
Updated on 09/05/2026 – 07:44 amReading time: 2 minutes
The search for a new UN Secretary General is underway – but the way it is being carried out is met with resistance. Baerbock writes a farewell letter to the UN members.
In a letter to UN member states Annalena Baerbock criticized the Security Council for its handling of the ongoing search for a new UN Secretary-General. The outgoing President of the UN General Assembly accuses the body of not publishing the results of internal test votes even though they have already been leaked to the press.
Concealing the voting results harms the candidates, the General Assembly and, as Baerbock writes, “frankly the credibility of the Security Council’s own procedures.” Her letter is addressed to all 193 UN member states shortly before the end of her term as General Assembly President.
Embed
Baerbock had previously advocated for a more transparent selection process and thus attracted resistance from two veto powers. The USA and Russia accused her of exceeding her authority and insisted on the Security Council’s right to choose the candidate in a secret vote.
The general assembly should have more say
In her letter, Baerbock also suggests giving the general assembly more say. Specifically, she suggests that the Security Council propose not just one, but several candidates, so that the final decision would rest with the member states.
In the video | Baerbock says an unusual goodbye
Player is loading
The background is the impending departure of António Guterres as UN Secretary General at the end of the year. The UN Charter provides that his successor will be appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. In practice, the 15 members of the Security Council have so far agreed on a candidate in secret votes. The five permanent members – ChinaRussia, France, Great Britain and the USA – have veto rights. The subsequent appointment by the general meeting is considered a formality.
Eight people are currently applying for the position. According to diplomatic circles, no clear favorite has emerged from two secret votes that have already been held in the Security Council. Further candidacies are possible.
