The United Nations Security Council has held its second informal straw poll as the race to select a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres moves into another stage.
The 15-member council conducted the confidential poll on Friday to gauge the level of support for candidates seeking to become the next head of the United Nations. Guterres is due to leave office at the end of 2026 after serving two five-year terms.
The latest vote follows the first informal poll held on July 30. That exercise was led by former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, according to diplomatic sources. Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina's Rafael Grossi were also among the candidates who received significant support in the first round.
Eight Candidates in the Race
The field has expanded since the first poll, with Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki becoming the latest entrant. Other candidates include Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador's María Fernanda Espinosa, Uganda's Olara Otunnu and Senegal's Macky Sall.
Because the straw poll is informal and conducted behind closed doors, its results are not the final decision on who will become Secretary-General. Candidates must ultimately secure the support of the Security Council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members.
Final Decision Still Ahead
The second poll is intended to provide diplomats with a clearer picture of the race, but it is not expected to immediately determine the winner.
The selection process can involve several rounds of informal voting before the council agrees on a candidate to recommend to the 193-member UN General Assembly.
The next Secretary-General is expected to take office on January 1, 2027, when Guterres' second term officially ends.
The Security Council's latest vote therefore marks another important step in a selection process that is expected to continue in the coming months as member states negotiate behind the scenes.
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