More people may be added to list of potential candidates to head UN — diplomat

What the report says

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov said the field of candidates for the next UN secretary-general could still grow, according to TASS, as reported by The Independent Uganda. He said the list is not closed and suggested more names could emerge depending on how the UN Security Council’s informal voting develops. The article noted that Uganda’s former envoy to the UN, Olara Otunnu, was added late to the current slate of contenders.

The report said the UN is due to begin the selection process on July 24, with the contest ending when one candidate secures nine votes, including support from all five permanent Security Council members. It also said the current term of Secretary-General António Guterres expires on December 31, 2026.

The publicly listed candidates in the article include Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, former Senegalese president Macky Sall, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan, Ecuador’s former foreign and defense minister María Fernanda Espinosa, Guyana’s UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Otunnu.

The piece also said the Security Council held its first informal straw poll on July 30, with Grynspan emerging as an early frontrunner. More broadly, the report reflects the early stage of a UN leadership race that often involves regional balancing, diplomatic bargaining and multiple rounds of informal consultations.