For champions of women’s rights, 2025 was hoped to be the year that the elusive goal of electing the first female United Nations secretary-general gained traction. But the prospect has been dealt a blow by the election of U.S. President Donald Trump and his global war on diversity.
In closed-door negotiations on a political declaration for the Commission on the Status of Women, or CSW, the U.S. joined forces with Russia, Argentina, and other conservative states to strike language promoting efforts to achieve gender parity at the U.N. In particular, Washington has proposed weakening or ditching provisions that encourage states and U.N. entities to expand the role of women in peacekeeping and diplomacy and to select a woman for the top U.N. job.
“Candidates should not be selected based on sex but only if qualified,” said a U.S. official, urging delegates to water down language encouraging member states to nominate female candidates for the top U.N. job, according to notes of the confidential proceedings. Russia, which has aligned increasingly with the U.S., asked that the provision on the race for U.N. leader be stripped out altogether. The U.S. and Russia are veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council and have the power to block the appointment of any U.N. secretary-general.
About the author
Colum Lynch
Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.
