UN Secretary-General Race: Grynspan Narrowly Leads Third Security Council Poll

Rebeca Grynspan narrowly topped the third indicative poll of the UN Security Council on Friday as the 15-member body continued its search for the organisation’s next secretary-general, according to a diplomatic source.

Grynspan, Costa Rica’s former vice president and the head of the UN trade and development body UNCTAD, secured nine “encourage” votes in the latest secret ballot. However, she also received five “discourage” votes and one “no opinion” vote, highlighting continued opposition to her candidacy.

Grynspan had also led the first straw poll in the selection process. In the second round, former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett moved ahead.

Rodrigues-Birkett received eight “encourage” votes, six “discourage” votes and one “no opinion” vote in the latest poll, the diplomatic source said.

The UN is seeking a successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31. Several Security Council members have expressed support for the organisation having its first woman secretary-general.

Under the selection process, a candidate needs to avoid opposition from any of the five permanent Security Council members — the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia. A “discourage” vote from any one of these veto-wielding countries could effectively block a candidate.

Several Candidates Remain In Race

Other contenders include UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese president Macky Sall, Ecuador’s Ivonne A-Baki, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s former foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa and Ugandan politician Olara Otunnu.

There has also been speculation that the five permanent members could eventually seek a compromise candidate if the current field fails to produce a consensus.

One diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that such a move could raise concerns if it was not conducted transparently.

Once the Security Council recommends a candidate, the nomination must be approved by the UN General Assembly, which includes all UN member states.

US Calls For UN Reforms

A US State Department official said Thursday that the candidates should commit to bringing the UN “back to basics” and implementing changes demanded by Washington.

The official said the next secretary-general should focus the organisation on its “primary purpose of maintaining peace and security in the world,” while criticising what Washington described as politicised ideology within the UN.

The Security Council’s indicative polls are conducted by secret ballot. After a certain stage, ballots cast by the five permanent members are distinguished by colour, allowing candidates to identify whether a potential veto has emerged without revealing which permanent member cast it.

International Crisis Group analyst Daniel Forti said another straw poll was expected to be held around the end of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, which begins Tuesday, although the timing has not been confirmed.