Russia

Grynspan pulls ahead in race for UN chief — source

TASS English · 2026-09-18

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Rebeca Grynspan, the UNCTAD Secretary-General, gained the most support in a recent straw poll for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, with nine Security Council members backing her candidacy. • Why it matters: Grynspan's lead indicates a significant level of support within the Security Council, which could influence the final decision on the next UN chief and reflects the geopolitical dynamics at play within the organization. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor the upcoming official votes and discussions among Security Council members, as well as the responses from other candidates and their supporters.

Grynspan pulls ahead in race for UN chief — source Nine Security Council members backed Rebeca Grynspan in the race, five opposedUNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan© Denis Akishev/TASSUNITED NATIONS, September 18. /TASS/. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan received the most support from members of the United Nations Security Council in the latest straw poll of candidates for the post of United Nations Secretary-General, a UN source told TASS. Nine Security Council members backed Grynspan in the race, five opposed, and one did not express an opinion. Guyana’s candidate, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, came second with eight votes in favor and six against, while one Security Council member abstained from voting. Former Uganda Permanent Representative to the United Nations Olara Otunnu, was third, receiving five votes in favor, seven against and three undecided. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also received five votes in favor, while eight Security Council members opposed his candidacy and two did not express an opinion. Former Senegalese President Macky Sall received five votes in support and nine against, while one Security Council member abstained from voting. 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Source: TASS English
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