**Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett Leads Informal Poll for Next UN Secretary-General**
An informal poll conducted on Friday has positioned Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana as the leading candidate in the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. This latest voting round among the 15 members of the UN Security Council marks the second such "straw poll" in the selection process, following an initial round last month that had former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan in the lead.
According to diplomats and sources familiar with the ongoing selection process, Birkett received eight "encourage" votes in the recent poll, which is a slight decrease from her previous tally. Alongside her votes, there were three "discourage" votes and four expressing "no opinion." In contrast, Grynspan garnered seven "encourage" votes, down from ten in the first round, alongside four "discourage" votes and four "no opinion."
Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog from Argentina, maintained his position in third place with seven "encourage" votes, but saw an increase in "discourage" votes from two to six, while receiving two "no opinion" votes.
The ongoing selection process features eight candidates vying to succeed Antonio Guterres, who is set to step down at the end of the year after completing two five-year terms. The next Secretary-General will face significant challenges, including revitalizing a UN organization that is perceived to be in crisis and under pressure for further reforms, particularly concerning its bureaucracy.
In a notable development, Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne Baki entered the race this week but did not receive any "encourage" votes. Instead, she faced eight "discourage" votes and seven expressing "no opinion." Baki has previously claimed support from the United States and has acknowledged her friendship with former President Donald Trump.
The straw polls are designed to provide an overview of the candidates' support and opposition levels among Security Council members without revealing the identities of those casting negative votes. This anonymity is crucial, as it allows for a clearer understanding of overall support without disclosing whether dissenting votes come from one of the five permanent members of the Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—whose backing is essential for any candidate.
As the selection process continues, further rounds of voting are expected, and the dynamics of support among the candidates may shift. The next Secretary-General will need to navigate complex global challenges and work towards reforming the UN to enhance its effectiveness and credibility on the world stage.