Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett Emerges as Frontrunner in Latest UN Leadership Straw Poll

Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett has taken the lead in the race to become the next UN secretary-general following the second non-binding straw poll conducted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday. Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen of Denmark, the council’s president for August, confirmed the conclusion of the vote, which placed Rodrigues Birkett ahead of seven other declared candidates.

According to the circulated results, Rodrigues Birkett secured eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage' votes, and four abstentions. She was closely trailed by Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina, both of whom garnered seven 'encourage' votes. While Grossi received six 'discourage' votes, Grynspan picked up four. Grynspan had previously held the top spot following the initial round of balloting in July.

The remaining candidates in the race include former Senegalese President Macky Sall, former UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, and Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki. Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has held the office since 2017, will complete his second five-year term on December 31. Although no formal term limit exists, historically no secretary-general has served more than two terms.

These confidential straw polls are designed to measure support among the 15 council members and narrow down the contenders prior to a formal recommendation to the UNGA. Advancing in a formal UNSC vote requires a minimum of nine votes, and any of the five permanent members—the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom—retain veto power. Additional rounds of voting will follow, utilizing distinct ballot colors for permanent members to indicate potential veto threats.

The incoming secretary-general will inherit the formidable task of restoring the standing of the United Nations. Critics argue that the post-World War II institution has struggled to resolve major global conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war on Gaza.