⚡ Quick Summary
United Nations Day is observed on October 24, which is Saturday, October 24, 2026. It marks the day in 1945 when the UN Charter came into force, so 2026 is the 81st anniversary. This year it falls in the middle of the race to choose the next Secretary-General: the Security Council held its sixth straw poll on October 16, and no candidate has yet been recommended. Research cutoff: October 17, 2026.
The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, after a majority of the signatories ratified its Charter. Every year the organisation marks the day. In 2026 there is an unusual extra reason to watch: António Guterres's term ends on December 31, 2026, and his successor has not been chosen.
This guide explains the day and the selection race. It is a preview, so it describes nothing from October 24 itself. The straw-poll figures come from press reports of results that the Council does not publish officially.
What UN Day Marks
According to the UN, the day marks the anniversary of the Charter's entry into force in 1945. The UN's observance page we opened covers the 80th anniversary in 2025 and does not give a 2026 theme, so we do not name one.
How the Secretary-General Is Chosen
Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council. In practice the Council tests candidates first with informal straw polls. Each member receives one ballot per candidate with three options: "encouraged", "discouraged" or "no opinion expressed".
Results are not published officially, but earlier results in this process were leaked and posted online soon after each vote, according to Security Council Report.
The 2026 Candidates
Security Council Report lists seven candidates as of the fifth poll, with none withdrawn since the fourth:
| Candidate | Country | Nominated by |
|---|---|---|
| Ivonne A-Baki | Ecuador | Tonga (Aug 17) |
| María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés | Ecuador | Antigua and Barbuda (May 11) |
| Rafael Mariano Grossi | Argentina | Argentina (Nov 26, 2025) |
| Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis | Costa Rica | Costa Rica (Mar 3) |
| Olara Otunnu | Uganda | Uganda (Jul 24) |
| Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett | Guyana | Guyana (Jun 15) |
| Macky Sall | Senegal | Burundi (Mar 2) |
The Straw Polls So Far
Earlier polls were held on July 30, August 21, September 18 and September 29, with the fifth expected on October 7. In the fourth poll, Grynspan received 10 "encouraged" votes, and Grossi 8 and Rodrigues Birkett 8, according to Security Council Report. We could not read the fifth poll's figures in our sources.
The sixth poll, October 16
PassBlue and the Spokesman-Review report that the sixth poll on Friday, October 16 was the first to use colour-coded ballots, which show whether a permanent member opposes a candidate. Reported results:
- Grynspan: 9 encourage, 5 discourage, 1 no opinion. Two permanent members discouraged her.
- Rodrigues Birkett: 8 encourage, 6 discourage, 1 no opinion. Two permanent members discouraged her.
- Grossi: 8 encourage, with two permanent members discouraging him.
- A-Baki: 1 encourage, 14 discourage, which PassBlue describes as a rejection by the permanent members.
A candidate needs at least nine "encourage" votes and no "discourage" vote from a permanent member to be recommended, the Spokesman-Review reports. Reuters is quoted as saying there was "no clear winner", and diplomats say new candidates may still enter.
What Is Not Known
We found no confirmed date for the Council's recommendation or the General Assembly's appointment, and we do not predict one. For context, Security Council Report notes that in 2006 the last poll was held on October 2 and the recommendation adopted on October 9, and in 2016 the final poll was on October 5 with a recommendation on October 6. This year the process is running later than both.
Practical Details to Check
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Official events: check un.org and your local UN information centre for any programme. We have not confirmed one.
- Race updates: Security Council Report and PassBlue track each poll.
- India: UN Day is not a public holiday in India. October 24 is the fourth Saturday, when banks are typically closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which anniversary is UN Day 2026?
The 81st, counting from 1945.
Who is leading the Secretary-General race?
Press reports say Rebeca Grynspan holds a narrow lead, but no candidate has the Council's recommendation.
When does the new Secretary-General take over?
Guterres's term ends on December 31, 2026. We did not find a confirmed start date for his successor.
Conclusion
UN Day is a reminder of the Charter, and this year also of an unfinished decision. Follow the next Council poll, and see our October 24 overview and our look at the UN poverty day for other UN observances this month.
