Rebeca Grynspan leads as UNSC meets to pick next chief
UNITED NATIONS: Rebeca Grynspan, a former vice president of Costa Rica, took an early lead as the Security Council began the process of selecting the UN’s next secretary general on Thursday, holding a first “straw poll” to gauge the seven candidates’ support for the high-profile global statesman role.
Following the first round of voting, ambassadors of the 15 Security Council members were tight-lipped about the outcome of the secret poll.
Four women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
They are Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal.
Although Grossi, the head of the IAEA, is arguably the most recognised figure, observers believe there is no clear favourite in the race that could last several months.
Even if a candidate bags the required nine votes from the 15 available in the Security Council, they must also avoid a veto by the five major powers, which are deeply divided. Once a candidate clears those bars, their name will go to the General Assembly of all UN members for confirmation.
On Thursday, the Council’s 15 members met behind closed doors to test the waters with the first “straw poll,” devised in the early 1980s in an attempt to break a deadlock between two candidates whose bids were shut down by vetoes. Many states are also pushing for a woman to lead the UN for the first time.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026
