Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan has remained a prominent candidate in the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations after the latest informal poll conducted by the UN Security Council.

The fourth straw poll was held on September 29 as Security Council members continued their assessment of candidates seeking to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends this year. The latest process has not produced a final decision.

Grynspan Receives Strong Support

According to diplomats familiar with the confidential voting process, Grynspan received 10 “encourage” votes in the latest round, while three members indicated “discourage” and two expressed no opinion.

The result keeps her among the leading contenders, but the informal poll does not constitute a formal selection or guarantee that she will ultimately be nominated.

Other candidates, including Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, also remain in the race.

Selection Process Continues

The UN Secretary-General is selected through a process involving the Security Council and General Assembly.

The Security Council must eventually recommend a candidate to the General Assembly. The five permanent members of the Council — the United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom — have veto power, making broad agreement among major powers an important part of the process.

The informal straw polls are designed to help members assess the level of support for individual candidates before a formal recommendation is made.

Seven Candidates Remain

The field has changed during the selection process. The United Nations confirmed that Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy was withdrawn on September 21. The UN’s published candidate information currently lists Grynspan alongside candidates including Rafael Grossi, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Maki Sall, María Fernanda Espinosa, Olara Otunnu and others.

Grynspan’s UN Experience

Grynspan has extensive experience in international development and diplomacy.

She previously served as Vice President of Costa Rica and held ministerial positions in the country’s government. Within the United Nations system, she served as UNDP Associate Administrator and later became Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Her official UN candidacy documents describe priorities including development financing, technology, economic opportunity and reform of international institutions.

What Comes Next

Further consultations and informal assessments are expected before the Security Council reaches a formal recommendation.

The eventual selection will require the Council to agree on a candidate who can obtain the necessary support without being blocked by a permanent member.

For now, the latest straw poll indicates that Grynspan continues to have significant support in the selection process, while the final outcome remains undecided.