To become next UN chief, getting 'P5' onboard is key, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently conducted its first "straw poll" to select the next UN Secretary-General (UNSG), whose five-year term begins on January 1, 2027.
• Three candidates from Latin America, Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), Carolyn Birkett (Guyana), and Rafael Grossi (Argentina), reportedly performed well in the initial poll.
• The selection process is governed by Article 97 of the UN Charter, requiring the UNSG to be appointed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) upon the recommendation of the UNSC.
• The UNSC consists of 15 members, including five permanent members (P5) with veto power, which is crucial in the selection.
• The informal principle of regional rotation suggests the next UNSG should be from Latin America, and there is a push for a woman to hold the position.

Detailed Insights:

• Straw polls are an informal UNSC process where members indicate "encourage," "discourage," or "no opinion" for candidates, with results kept confidential.
• In later rounds of straw polls, the P5 use distinct colored slips, signifying a potential veto if a "discourage" vote is cast by one of them.
• A candidate needs at least nine "encourage" votes from the 15-member UNSC and no "discourage" votes from any of the P5 to be recommended.
• The P5 (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) hold significant sway, as their unanimous support or at least absence of veto is essential for a candidate's success.
• The current UNSG, António Guterres, from Portugal, will conclude his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
• Candidates are typically nominated by a member state and are expected to possess strong leadership, diplomatic, and multilingual skills, along with extensive international relations experience.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UN Security Council (UNSC): One of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• Permanent Five (P5): The five permanent members of the UNSC—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—each holding veto power.
• UN Secretary-General (UNSG): The chief administrative officer of the United Nations, appointed for a five-year term, renewable once.
• Straw Poll: An informal, secret ballot conducted by the UNSC to gauge support for candidates for UNSG before a formal vote.
• Article 97 of the UN Charter: States that the UNSG shall be appointed by the UN General Assembly upon the recommendation of the UN Security Council.