Rebeca Grynspan emerges as leading candidate for UN chief

Rebeca Grynspan, a Costa Rican diplomat and former vice president of the country, has become one of the main contenders for the post of UN secretary-general, Report informs, citing The Guardian.

If elected, she would become the first woman to head the organization.

Grynspan currently leads the UN Conference on Trade and Development, or UNCTAD.

In a preliminary vote at the UN Security Council, she received 10 votes in favor, four neutral votes and one vote against. Her closest rival, former Guyana permanent representative to the UN Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, received nine votes in favor.

Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will complete his second term on December 31, 2026. Under the informal system of regional rotation, his successor is expected to come from Latin America.

Grynspan is seen as a continuity candidate and, according to the newspaper, may have the tacit support of Guterres. The election results are expected in October.