Costa Rican diplomat emerges as strong contender to be first female head of UN

Rebeca Grynspan, a Costa Rican diplomat and former vice-president, has emerged as the leading candidate to become the first female UN secretary general. In a secret straw poll by the UN Security Council, she secured the most “encourage” votes, positioning her as a strong contender for the role which is expected to go to a candidate from Latin America. Her background, including parents who were Holocaust refugees, and her current role leading UNCTAD, which has documented the economic impact of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, add layers to her candidacy.

• Rebeca Grynspan, a Costa Rican diplomat, is the leading candidate to be the next UN Secretary General, potentially becoming the first woman in the role.
• Grynspan, whose parents were Holocaust refugees, secured the most ‘encourage’ votes in an initial straw poll by the UN Security Council.
• Her closest rival is Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett of Guyana, with Grynspan having a slight edge based on the poll results.
• The UNCTAD, led by Grynspan, has extensively documented the economic damage caused by Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
• The current Secretary General, António Guterres, will finish his second term in December 2026, and the next leader is expected to be from Latin America.
• Grynspan’s election would make her the UN’s first Jewish secretary general.