UN Security Council Holds Third Straw Poll as Race for Next Secretary General Heats Up

The UN Security Council conducted a third straw poll on Friday to measure backing for candidates vying to become the world body's next Secretary General, as world leaders get ready to assemble in New York for the annual General Assembly.

Outcomes from the secret, informal vote were not immediately accessible following the process, which extended beyond an hour. "The third round of straw polls has taken place," France's UN ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, president of the Security Council for September, informed reporters without revealing the result.

Based on accounts from diplomats, Rebeca Grynspan headed the third round with nine “encourage” votes and five “discourage” votes. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana trailed closely with eight “encourage” and six “discourage” votes, while Argentina’s Rafael Grossi secured five “encourage” and eight “discourage” votes.

"The race now has two clear frontrunners: Grynspan and Rodrigues-Birkett. But neither has locked down enough Council support to escape the spectre of a possible P5 veto," Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group informed The National. "The next vote, likely immediately after High-Level Week, will show whether they have staying power - or whether the race is likely to open up to new candidates."

No definitive frontrunner emerged from the initial two rounds, with eight candidates currently striving to succeed Secretary General Antonio Guterres upon the conclusion of his term in December. Multiple council members have expressed a desire for a woman to lead the UN for the initial time in its 81-year history.

Former Guyanese foreign minister Ms Rodrigues-Birkett narrowly led the second straw poll, succeeded by Costa Rica's Ms Grynspan and Mr Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The remaining candidates consist of former Senegalese president Macky Sall, Ecuador's Ivonne Baki, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorian foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa and Uganda's Olara Otunnu.

Diplomats have additionally raised the possibility that extra candidates could enter the competition as the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - work toward consensus.

A candidate requires a minimum of nine votes within the 15-member Security Council and must bypass a veto from any of the five permanent members. The council subsequently recommends a candidate to the 193-member General Assembly for appointment.

The US has not publicly endorsed a candidate. A State Department official stated on Thursday that contenders ought to commit to bringing the UN "back to basics and publicly commit to the changes we require."

"The United States is looking for a practical, driven, and reform-focused candidate who will safeguard the valuable contributions of Member States, restore competent management and streamline the organisation significantly," the official noted.