HeForShe Champion and President of the Government of Spain Calls for the Next United Nations Secretary-General to Be a Woman

Madrid, 30 January 2026 — At the “Mujeres liderando la ONU del siglo XXI” conference held in Madrid, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, called for the next United Nations Secretary-General to be a woman, ideally from Latin America and the Caribbean. His remarks reinforced the urgent need to advance gender equality at the highest levels of global leadership.

Speaking at the event hosted at the Real Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, President Sánchez highlighted a persistent gap in multilateral governance. In nearly 80 years of the United Nations, no woman has served as Secretary-General. He underscored that inclusive leadership is not symbolic, but essential to the legitimacy, effectiveness, and credibility of international institutions.

"It is time for international institutions to reflect the diverse, plural and fair reality of our societies" – HeForShe Champion and President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez

The President emphasised that equal access to decision-making positions is a matter of rights and justice, and that global institutions must reflect the societies they serve. He noted that advancing women’s leadership strengthens multilateralism and improves outcomes for people worldwide.

President Sánchez became a HeForShe Champion in 2024, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to advancing gender equality at both national and international levels. As a Champion, he is committed with the promotion gender rotation in the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly. This commitment responds directly to the longstanding underrepresentation of women in multilateral leadership. Despite the central role of the General Assembly in global governance, only five women have held the role of President of the United Nations General Assembly since its establishment. Combined with the absence of a female Secretary-General, this highlights the importance of sustained and coordinated action to ensure women’s equal participation at the highest levels of decision-making.

"We cannot continue to exclude half of humanity's talent and half of its people from the places where their future is decided" – HeForShe Champion and President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez

Through his leadership and advocacy, President Sánchez continues to stand up for gender equality and to support a multilateral system that is more representative, inclusive, and fit for the future.

Read the original article on the official website of the Presidency of the Government of Spain.