Former Guyana minister tops second UN secretary-general straw poll

Former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett narrowly led the second informal Security Council vote to select the next UN secretary-general, with the race remaining tightly contested.

A diplomatic source disclosed that former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett led the second informal Security Council straw poll for the UN secretary-general, narrowly surpassing Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, who fell to second place. Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, came in third, with Macky Sall of Senegal, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Uganda’s Olara Otunnu and newcomer Ivonne A-Baki also on the ballot.

Rodrigues-Birkett earned eight “encourage” votes, three “discourage” and four “no opinion”. Denmark’s UN ambassador Christina Lassen, holding the Council’s rotating presidency, said the timing of the next vote remains under discussion, while the five permanent members have not yet signaled any veto. Analysts note that even if a candidate secures the required nine votes, a veto from any major power could block the appointment, after which the General Assembly would confirm the choice. Outgoing secretary-general Antonio Guterres will finish his second term on Dec 31 2026, and tradition suggests the post may rotate to a Latin American candidate this cycle.