UN Security Council conducts sixth secret ballot on secretary-general hopefuls

On Friday, the UN Security Council carried out its sixth informal straw poll to assess the viability of candidates for the secretary-general post. Members marked each name with one of three options—"encouraged," "discouraged" or "no opinion"—in a confidential ballot that is not publicly released. The outcome will be communicated to the candidates via their nominating states and to the president of the General Assembly.

To secure the council’s endorsement, a candidate must obtain at least nine "encouraged" votes and avoid any "discouraged" votes from the five permanent members. The field currently includes Ivonne A-Baki, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, Olara Otunnu, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Macky Sall. The incumbent secretary-general’s term ends later this year, with the successor slated to assume office on 1 January 2027.