UN secretary-general race enters a new phase as Rodriguez-Birkett gains ground

Saturday 22 August 2026 - 12:47

By: Azzat Manal

UN secretary-general race enters a new phase as Rodriguez-Birkett gains ground

The race to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has entered a new stage after Guyanese candidate Carolyn Rodriguez-Birkett emerged as the leading contender in a second informal and confidential poll conducted by the UN Security Council.

Rodriguez-Birkett reportedly received eight “encourage” votes in the latest straw poll, narrowly ahead of former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, who each received seven encouraging votes.

The result marks a shift from the first round of consultations, held on July 30, when Grynspan led the field with 10 votes of encouragement. Rodriguez-Birkett followed with nine, while Grossi received seven.

The straw poll is designed to provide an early indication of the level of support candidates enjoy among Security Council members. It is not a formal election and does not determine who will ultimately become secretary-general.

The latest round also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the contest. Rodriguez-Birkett received three “discourage” votes and four members expressed “no opinion”, illustrating that significant differences remain among Security Council members.

The selection of a UN secretary-general involves a two-stage process. The Security Council must first recommend a candidate before the General Assembly formally appoints the nominee. The candidate must secure sufficient support within the Council while avoiding a veto from any of its five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom.

The outcome of the process will determine who succeeds Guterres, whose term is scheduled to end at the close of 2026. The next secretary-general is expected to begin the five-year mandate on January 1, 2027.

Several candidates are competing for the position, but the early prominence of Grynspan and Rodriguez-Birkett has given the contest a potentially historic dimension.

The possibility of a woman becoming secretary-general for the first time has attracted particular attention. The United Nations has never had a woman occupy its top executive position, making gender a significant issue in discussions surrounding the current succession process.

Nevertheless, the informal voting rounds remain only an early stage in a process that can change considerably as negotiations intensify. Diplomatic support, the positions of the permanent members and the ability of candidates to build consensus will ultimately play a decisive role.

The latest straw poll therefore provides an important snapshot rather than a final prediction. With the leading candidates separated by only a small number of votes, the competition to replace Guterres remains wide open.