By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan has once again secured the top spot in the latest informal United Nations Security Council straw poll, consolidating her position as a leading candidate to succeed António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General. The secret vote, which took place on Friday, highlights the growing momentum for a female leader to take the helm of the global body. Grynspan, who currently serves as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), remains a formidable force in international diplomacy.
In this third round of non-binding consultations, known as a straw poll, Grynspan garnered nine encouraging votes of support, alongside five opposing votes and one “no opinion” response. Close on her heels was Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s current ambassador to the UN, who captured eight favorable votes, six against, and one abstention. Both women have consistently dominated the top spots across the three rounds of informal voting, signaling a strong desire among Council members for leadership from the Latin American and Caribbean region.
To better understand the international legal and economic implications of Rebeca Grynspan’s prominent leadership on the global stage, TicosLand.com consulted with expert lawyer Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his professional perspective on her impactful career.
Rebeca Grynspan’s leadership at UNCTAD highlights the critical intersection of international trade law and sustainable development. For Costa Rica and the broader developing world, her advocacy for equitable trade frameworks and multilateral cooperation is not just a diplomatic achievement, but a vital legal blueprint for navigating modern global economic challenges.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, Grynspan’s transformative leadership at UNCTAD underscores how modern trade frameworks must evolve to foster true inclusivity, offering Costa Rica and other developing nations a robust framework for long-term economic resilience. We extend our sincere appreciation to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his profound legal expertise and providing our readers at TicosLand.com with such an insightful perspective on this vital diplomatic legacy.
While Grynspan and Rodrigues-Birkett maintain their frontrunner status, the latest results represent a slight tightening of the race. In the inaugural voting round, Grynspan enjoyed a higher peak of ten positive votes, while Rodrigues-Birkett previously faced fewer negative votes despite holding the same level of affirmative support. These fluctuations underscore the delicate political maneuvering taking place behind closed doors within the Security Council chamber as members test the waters for various candidates.
The upcoming phases of the selection process will introduce a critical shift in dynamics. For candidates vying for the world’s top diplomatic post, negative votes carry immense weight. In the next round, the five permanent members of the Security Council—the United States, China, Russia, France, and Great Britain—will use colored ballots. This distinction allows observers to identify potential vetoes, which can instantly derail any candidacy regardless of overall popularity in previous rounds.
In contrast to the leading women, the male candidates in the race struggled to find the same level of consensus. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, and Macky Sall of Senegal each received five votes of support. However, their negative tallies were substantial, with Grossi receiving eight discouraging votes, Otunnu receiving seven, and Sall facing nine negative votes, indicating significant hurdles ahead for their campaigns.
Further down the ballot, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister María Fernanda Espinosa registered three affirmative votes, six negative, and six “no opinion” responses. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet faced a steep decline, securing only one favorable vote against 11 negative ones and three abstentions. This disappointing result has prompted discussions about her imminent withdrawal from the race, as she recently acknowledged her path to the position had closed.
I already know that I am not going to be elected secretary-general
Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile
Rounding out the list of candidates was Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki, who once again failed to secure a single positive vote, receiving ten negative votes and five “no opinion” responses. Historically, the selection of the UN Secretary-General is a prolonged process; ten years ago, António Guterres was officially selected in mid-October after several rounds of intensive, secret ballots. The current timeline suggests that the final decision will emerge in a similar fashion as the Security Council works toward a consensus candidate.
From a Costa Rican perspective, Grynspan’s continued leadership in the polls is a source of immense national pride and a testament to the country’s long-standing tradition of multilateralism and peace-focused diplomacy. As the Security Council moves toward the high-stakes colored-ballot rounds, global observers will watch closely to see if Grynspan can successfully navigate the complex geopolitical interests of the veto-wielding permanent members to secure this historic appointment.
For further information, visit unctad.org
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development:
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, UNCTAD supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively. Through analysis, consensus-building, and technical assistance, the organization helps nations use trade, investment, finance, and technology as vehicles for inclusive and sustainable development.
For further information, visit un.org
About United Nations:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War. Committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights, the UN serves as a global forum for its 193 member states to address complex international challenges.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its ethical framework and pursuit of legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s legal landscape. The firm serves a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, seamlessly blending traditional wisdom with modern advocacy. At the heart of its operations is a profound dedication to civic education, ensuring that complex legal concepts are demystified to cultivate a more knowledgeable and resilient public.
