Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says it's time for a woman to lead the United Nations

The United Nations could be seeing some very progressive changes next year.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's second five-year term comes to an end on Dec. 31, and he's making it known that he would like to see a woman lead the United Nations after his departure.

Since the United Nations was formed in 1945, a woman has yet to hold a leading role. Ban said he feels that after eight men have led, "it's high time now" for a female secretary-general, stating he strongly believes women should be "given equal opportunities."

There are currently 11 candidates in the running to take the place of Ban — six men and five women.

While Ban did not share his favorite candidate, he said there are "many distinguished, motivated women leaders who can really change this world, who can actively engage with the other leaders of the world."

As of now, the five female candidates are Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and former Croatian Foreign Minister, Vesna Pusić; former Moldovan Foreign Minister, Natalia Gherman; administrator of the UNDP and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark; and former Executive Secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres.

After the second secret straw poll was taken in the Security Council earlier this month, António Guterres -- former Prime Minister of Portugal -- remained the front-runner, according to CNN.

Ban explained that while the decision is not up to him, he feels his successor should have "a clear vision for the world of the future," a "strong integrity" and a "strong compassionate and visionary leadership."

Associated Press contributed to this report.