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[INTERNATIONAL] · Costa Rica, Guyana, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador · 10 sources

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Rebeca Grynspan emerges as frontrunner for UN Secretary-General

Costa Rican diplomat and former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed António Guterres as United Nations Secretary-General. In a preliminary, non-binding straw poll held by the UN Security Council, Grynspan received 10 'encourage' votes, four neutral votes, and one 'discourage' vote.

If elected, Grynspan would become the first woman and the first Jewish person to hold the position. The current Secretary-General is scheduled to complete his second term on December 31, 2026. Following the informal regional rotation system, a successor from Latin America is expected.

Other notable candidates in the race include Guyana's former UN envoy Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett, who secured nine 'encourage' votes, and Argentina's IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. The field of seven candidates also includes former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister María Fernanda Espinosa, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu. Diplomats noted that while Grynspan holds an early lead, any formal opposition from permanent Security Council members like the US, Russia, or China could lead to a deadlock.

Entities

Antonio Guterres · Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett · Rafael Grossi · Rebeca Grynspan · UNCTAD · United Nations

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