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UN Secretaries-General

Nine people have been UN Secretary-General since 1946. António Guterres has held the post since 1 January 2017; his successor takes office on 1 January 2027.

The full list

During the Cold War, 1946-1991 5

Five Secretaries-General from the first appointment in 1946 to the end of 1991, the year the Soviet Union dissolved.

• Trygve Lie1946–1952
• Dag Hammarskjöld1953–1961
• U Thant1961–1971
• Kurt Waldheim1972–1981
• Javier Pérez de Cuéllar1982–1991

Since 1992 4

Four Secretaries-General since 1 January 1992; three were reappointed for a second term, while Boutros-Ghali's reappointment was vetoed by the United States.

• Boutros Boutros-Ghali1992–1996
• Kofi Annan1997–2006
• Ban Ki-moon2007–2016
• António Guterres2017–

Not on the list

• Gladwyn Jebb: British diplomat who served as Acting Secretary-General from 24 October 1945 to 1 February 1946, before the first appointment.
• Guterres's successor (2026 selection): Not recommended or appointed by 4 October 2026.

Questions

How many UN Secretaries-General have there been?

Nine people have been UN Secretary-General since 1946. António Guterres has held the post since 1 January 2017; his successor takes office on 1 January 2027.

Which Secretaries-General are on the list?

Trygve Lie, Dag Hammarskjöld, U Thant, Kurt Waldheim, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres.

What is an easy way to remember them?

5 + 4: five in the Cold War, four since 1992. Four were European, two African, two Asian and one South American, and none has been a woman.

More lists

Each name checked against at least two sources, one of them UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library, on 4 October 2026. Next review by 2 January 2027.
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