"The new leader of the United Nations cannot heal all the world’s divisions, but with courage and political acumen, the next Secretary-General can make international disputes a little less toxic," write Richard Gowan and Daniel Forti.

Eight contenders vie to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN chief, from Rebeca Grynspan to Rafael Grossi, amid global crises and calls for deep reform.

"The new leader of the United Nations cannot heal all the world’s divisions, but with courage and political acumen, the next Secretary-General can make international disputes a…