United Nations, Oct 1:
Former Costa Rican Vice-President Rebeca Grynspan has emerged as the leading candidate in the latest informal poll for the next United Nations Secretary-General, according to diplomats and sources familiar with the selection process.
The 15-member UN Security Council conducted its fourth informal poll on Tuesday, with Grynspan again placed ahead of other candidates. Earlier polls in July and September had also put her near the top, while an August poll placed Guyana’s UN Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett first.
The selection process is non-binding at this stage and does not determine the final appointment. The Security Council must eventually agree on a candidate and formally recommend the person to the UN General Assembly.
The next Secretary-General will succeed António Guterres, who is due to step down at the end of 2026 after serving two five-year terms.
Several candidates are in the race, and additional names could still enter the process. The five permanent members of the Security Council — the US, China, Russia, France and Britain — will ultimately have to agree on the candidate before the appointment can move forward.