Who will replace Ban Ki-moon as next United Nations chief?
Bulgarians Irina Bokova and Kristalina Georgieva lead the race to become secretary general
The starting gun is being fired today in the race to become the next secretary general of the United Nations.
For the first time, member states will get a chance to question the applicants in what the UN describes as "a job interview in front of the whole world".
There are currently eight candidates vying to replace Ban Ki-moon, whose five-year tenure will finish at the end of the year.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Who are the favourites?
Under an informal regional rotation system, the next UN chief is widely expected to be from Eastern Europe. There is also growing pressure for a woman to be appointed to the top job for the first time.
As such, two favourites have emerged, both hailing from Bulgaria.
Kristalina Georgieva is a former vice president of the World Bank and is currently vice president of the European Commission. However, some predict her appointment could be blocked by Russia.
"Moscow won't accept her because she has led the central mechanism that imposed EU sanctions on Russia," says Forbes.
Her main rival is Irina Bokova, who has been director general of Unesco since 2009.
She has made fighting for gender equality in education her personal mission and is a leading champion in the battle against racism and anti-Semitism.
Who else is standing?
Four men and two other women have officially thrown their hats in the ring, according to the Financial Times.
They are: former Moldovan foreign minister Natalia Gherman; former New Zealand prime minster Helen Clark, now head of the UN Development Programme; former Croatian foreign minister Vesna Pucic; Montenegro's foreign minister Igor Luksic; former Slovenian president Danilo Turk, and Portugal's former prime minister Antonio Guterres.
How will the selection process work?
Following a push for greater transparency within the organisation, the selection process will no longer be held behind closed doors.
Each candidate will be presented to the UN's general assembly and then quizzed by representatives of each member state and the press. The public is also invited to submit questions via social media.
"This is a potentially game-changing process, "says Mogens Lykketoft, the president of the general assembly.
The next round of presentations will begin in June, with the Security Council beginning deliberations in July.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Universal donor blood is 'close' to reality
Under the Radar Scientists identify 'cocktail' of enzymes that destroy harmful antigens
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A well-dressed bicycle ride, a reservoir of dead fish, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is a home energy audit and when is it worth getting one?
The Explainer This evaluation of your home's efficiency can pinpoint where exactly it's wasting energy
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published