UN Security Council holds second straw poll for next secretary-general

The United Nations Security Council meets today, August 21, 2026, in New York to conduct a second straw poll to identify the successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The 77-year-old incumbent is set to conclude his second five-year term on December 31, 2026. Seven candidates—five women and two men—are currently vying for the position, with the 15 member states casting anonymous ballots to indicate whether they encourage, discourage, or hold no opinion on each candidate.

The process follows an initial straw poll held on July 30, where Rebeca Grynspan, the 70-year-old former Vice President of Costa Rica and current head of UNCTAD, emerged as the frontrunner with the highest number of positive votes. Today’s session aims to determine whether she will solidify that lead or if the voting patterns will shift, reflecting the internal divisions currently present within the council.

While this informal voting procedure serves to gauge consensus, it remains part of a broader, ongoing selection process for the organization's top leadership role. Diplomats and analysts, such as Daniel Forti from the International Crisis Group, suggest that results may fluctuate significantly compared to the initial July round as the council navigates the complex diplomatic landscape ahead of the final appointment.