Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the ambassador of Guyana to the United Nations, took the lead on Friday, August 21, during a second straw poll held by the UN Security Council to select the next secretary-general, according to a diplomatic source. The 15 members of the council met behind closed doors to anonymously ballot on the eight candidates vying to succeed António Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31.
UN Security Council Holds Second Straw Poll for Next Secretary-General
The race to lead the United Nations involves five women and three men seeking to replace Guterres. During each indicative vote, the 15 Security Council members assign each candidate a designation of “encourage,” “discourage,” or “no opinion.” To secure the nomination, a contender must achieve at least nine favorable votes without drawing a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
Once the council reaches a consensus recommendation, the name moves to the UN General Assembly, which in practice follows the nomination of the recommended candidate. While a geographic rotation tradition suggests Latin America should claim the post this cycle, and numerous member states advocate for the organization’s first female leader, the field remains competitive among contenders from multiple regions.
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Advances Amid Latin American Contenders
Rodrigues-Birkett, the 52-year-old former foreign minister of Guyana, moved ahead of her rivals in the August 21 vote, according to diplomatic sources. She surpassed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan—who led the initial straw poll in July—and Rafael Grossi, the Argentine head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Rodrigues-Birkett campaigns on restoring institutional credibility, arguing that the organization should not be judged solely through the lens of peace and security, but also via its development and human rights mandates.
Rebeca Grynspan, 70, is the head of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), though she stepped back from the position for the campaign. Backed by Costa Rica, Grynspan previously negotiated the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative alongside Moscow and Kiev to facilitate Ukrainian agricultural exports. Her supporters note her family history as Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Costa Rica. She has publicly criticized the UN for becoming risk-averse in conflict resolution.
Diverse Global Field Competes for Top UN Post
The candidate pool features several other prominent diplomats and political figures representing different regions and institutional backgrounds:
- Ivonne A-Baki: The 75-year-old Ecuadorian diplomat entered the race on August 18, with her candidacy backed by Tonga. The former ambassador to the United States and France helped negotiate the rapprochement between Ecuador and Peru, and she campaigns for a streamlined, results-oriented bureaucracy.
- Michelle Bachelet: The 74-year-old former president of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is backed by Mexico and Brazil. Her tenure at the UN drew scrutiny from Beijing over a report on the Uyghur minority, while her domestic stance on abortion draws resistance from Washington.
- Maria Fernanda Espinosa: The 61-year-old former Ecuadorian foreign minister and former UN General Assembly president is supported by Antigua and Barbuda. She advocates for early-warning conflict prevention mechanisms within the organization.
- Rafael Grossi: The 65-year-old Argentine diplomat has led the IAEA since 2019, managing high-stakes oversight of Iran’s nuclear program and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. He continues his IAEA duties during the campaign, asserting that stepping down would neglect his responsibilities.
- Olara Otunnu: The 75-year-old Ugandan candidate previously served as UN under-secretary-general and special representative for children and armed conflicts under Kofi Annan from 1997 to 2005. He is one of two candidates from outside Latin America.
- Macky Sall: The 64-year-old former president of Senegal is nominated by Burundi with backing from Dakar. His platform emphasizes the Global South’s representation in international bodies and the link between peace and development.
The Security Council will continue holding indicative votes in the coming weeks and months until a clear nominee emerges for the General Assembly’s consideration.
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