The United Nations has officially launched the search for its next secretary-general as the international body confronts numerous global challenges. The successor to Antonio Guterres, who has led the UN for the past decade, will be tasked with revitalizing an organization facing spiraling conflicts and increasing criticism from far-right populist movements.

In a first informal, non-binding straw poll conducted by the 15 members of the UN Security Council on Thursday, former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner, receiving 10 "encourage" votes. Former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett followed closely with nine votes.

Other candidates in the race include former Senegalese President Macky Sall, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, who entered the contest last week.

The new secretary-general will face the challenge of steering the UN through a period marked by declining status and mounting pressure to reform.

Sources