Key facts
- An informal UN Security Council poll on Thursday showed Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica as the early frontrunner for the next secretary-general.
- Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana followed Grynspan in the initial round of voting.
- The UN Security Council will hold multiple rounds of informal, non-binding straw polls to select a candidate.
- Candidates are assessed based on whether Security Council members "encourage," "discourage," or have "no opinion."
- The process could continue through late September or early October if no consensus candidate emerges.
The United Nations Security Council has commenced its initial round of informal straw polls to assess support for the seven candidates seeking to become the next Secretary-General. The process, which began on Thursday, aims to gauge the viability of contenders vying to replace Antonio Guterres when his term ends this year.
In the first informal poll, former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner, followed by former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. These straw polls are non-binding and involve Security Council members indicating whether they "encourage," "discourage," or have "no opinion" on each candidate. The ballots are secret, and only Council members are present during the exercise.
The selection process is expected to involve multiple rounds of polling, potentially continuing through late September or early October, especially if no consensus candidate emerges. The Security Council ultimately adopts a resolution recommending an appointment to the 193-member UN General Assembly, which requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Candidates in the running include Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana), Macky Sall (Senegal), and Olara Otunnu (Uganda). The modalities for the straw polls were agreed upon by Council members, with specific attendance levels and the appointment of tellers. The results of the informal vote will be announced by the Council's President to members in the consultations room, with a concise announcement to the press expected without revealing specific results.