All articles tagged with #un secretary general
The Trump administration has rejected all seven candidates for the next UN Secretary-General, demanding new nominees who align with its reform agenda. This stance threatens funding for the current frontrunner, Rebeca Grynspan, as the US leverages its veto power against a slate it views as insufficiently reformist.
The fifth informal Security Council straw poll on October 7 failed to produce a consensus for the next UN Secretary-General. Rebeca Grynspan remains the frontrunner but lost support, while Rafael Grossi rose to second place. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett suffered a significant drop in votes, facing a likely veto. The next poll on October 16 may use color-coded ballots to reveal permanent member preferences.
Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica leads the fourth informal Security Council straw poll for the next UN Secretary-General with 10 'encourage' votes, though three 'discourage' votes remain. The race lacks a clear consensus, as the five permanent members have not revealed their positions. A fifth poll is expected in October, potentially using color-coded ballots to distinguish permanent member votes.
The UN Security Council held its fourth informal straw poll on September 29 to select a successor for Secretary-General António Guterres, who leaves office on December 31. Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan remains the frontrunner, though no candidate has secured the nine affirmative votes required for a formal recommendation. The field has narrowed to seven candidates after Chile’s Michelle Bachelet withdrew, and the council is expected to move to color-coded ballots in October to clarify support from permanent members.
The search for António Guterres' successor has entered a critical phase, with seven candidates vying for the role of the UN's first female secretary-general. While European leaders push for gender parity, US pressure for structural reform and funding cuts looms large. Climate experts warn that several frontrunners may deprioritize environmental action, creating a potential gap in global leadership.
Seven candidates are vying to replace António Guterres as UN secretary-general, with the selection expected by December 2026. The race is defined by a push for the first female leader and a Latin American candidate, but is complicated by severe funding shortfalls, U.S. demands for structural reform, and the need to balance relations with rival powers like China and Russia.
Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to become the next UN secretary-general, citing a lack of support in the latest Security Council straw poll. Her exit leaves seven candidates competing to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31. Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan currently leads the field, though no candidate has yet secured the consensus required to avoid vetoes from permanent council members.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, citing low support in the latest Security Council straw poll. Her exit leaves Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan as the leading candidate, though no contender has secured the consensus needed to avoid vetoes from permanent members. The selection process remains stalled ahead of the General Assembly’s high-level week, with observers noting that the current field lacks a clear front-runner capable of navigating geopolitical divisions.
The UN Security Council’s third straw poll for the next secretary-general yielded no consensus, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leading but facing significant opposition. Chile’s Michelle Bachelet withdrew after a poor showing, while the race remains unresolved ahead of António Guterres’ term end in December.
The UN Security Council held its second informal straw poll on August 21, 2026, with Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerging as the frontrunner. No candidate secured the nine affirmative votes required to clinch the position, and the race remains open ahead of Antonio Guterres's departure on December 31.
The UN Security Council held its second informal straw poll on August 22, 2026, with Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerging as the frontrunner. She received eight 'encourage' votes, narrowly edging out Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, who each secured seven. The race to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, involves eight candidates and requires consensus among the 15 council members, including avoiding vetoes from permanent powers.
Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan led the Security Council’s first secret straw poll for the 2026 UN secretary-general race, topping with 10 'encourage,' 1 'discourage' and 4 'no opinion' votes; Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana came second with 9 encourage, 2 discourage and 4 no opinions, as seven candidates remain in the contest and more rounds are planned, with votes kept confidential to gauge broad support and potential veto risk.
The UN Secretary General has warned that the Sudan civil war is spiraling out of control, with ongoing violence, atrocities, and a worsening humanitarian crisis, urging warring parties to negotiate and end the conflict.
Israeli forces have surrounded two more hospitals in the Gaza Strip, intensifying the conflict despite international pressure for a ceasefire. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported intense shelling and heavy gunfire around Al-Amal Hospital and Nasser Hospital, with medical teams in extreme danger. The Israeli military is still operating at Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest, after raiding it earlier in the week. UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for a ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages, while Israel and the UN continue to clash over the situation in Gaza.
U.N. Secretary General António Guterres visited Egypt’s border with Gaza, urging for a cease-fire as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to send forces into Rafah despite international warnings. The U.N. Security Council failed to pass a U.S.-sponsored resolution for a cease-fire, leading to growing international outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah. Aid groups warn of famine risks in Gaza as Israel faces criticism for impeding humanitarian supplies. Cease-fire talks are ongoing, while Israel's military operation in Gaza continues to provoke alarm. The Biden administration faces pressure to reject Israel's claims of not violating international law and to consider suspending arms transfers.