UN at 80: Who Will Lead? with Ian Martin

The search for the next UN Secretary-General is more than a diplomatic process—it is a decision that affects 8 billion people.

In this episode of Manifest Edit, we sit down with Ian Martin, Chair of the Board of Trustees at UNA-UK, to discuss - who will lead - in one of the most prominent roles in global politics. 

As the race for the 10th Secretary-General gains momentum, we move beyond the headlines to examine how the world’s top diplomat is actually chosen.

We tackle the critical questions shaping this transition:

🔹 A Historic First? After 80 years and nine male leaders, I asked Ian if 2026 will finally be the year the United Nations elects its first-ever woman Secretary-General.

🔹 The Voting Pool: We explore the mechanics of the selection—from the "secret straw polls" (informal test votes) to the influence of the Security Council—and how these determine who makes the final shortlist.

🔹 Wider Engagement: I asked whether public engagement and input from people outside of the UN should be formally included in the process to move beyond "tokenism" and ensure a transparent selection.

Also in this episode:

• The 2026 Roadmap: A look at the official timeline and the importance of the joint nomination process currently under way.

• The Power of the Charter: Why the principles laid out in 1946 remain the essential blueprint for leading through today's challenges.

• Leadership for the Future: Identifying the independence and competence required for the 10th Secretary-General to lead in a polarised era.

About our Guest: Ian Martin is a veteran diplomat and former Secretary-General of Amnesty International. He has led major UN missions in East Timor, Nepal, and Libya, and has spent over four decades at the intersection of international justice and peacebuilding.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily represent the official stance of Manifest Edit or its affiliates. Recorded in London, 2026. © Manifest Edit.aligns with your wildest dreams.