The United Nations Security Council held its first straw poll on July 30, 2026, to evaluate candidates seeking to become the next secretary-general. The vote marked the beginning of the Council's internal assessment of the candidates before it makes a formal recommendation to the General Assembly.
Security Council members were able to indicate whether they encouraged, discouraged, or expressed no opinion about each candidate. The results were not publicly released. Candidates were instead informed of their individual results through representatives of the countries that nominated them.
The selection process began formally in November 2025 and includes candidate nominations, public vision statements, interactive dialogues, and consultations among United Nations member states. The Security Council is responsible for recommending a candidate, while the General Assembly formally appoints the secretary-general.
Denmark assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council in August and announced that another straw poll would be held during the month. Additional voting rounds can be used to narrow the field before the Council reaches agreement on a candidate.
The selection has international significance because the secretary-general serves as the United Nations' senior administrative official and performs diplomatic roles involving armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, peacekeeping operations, development programs, and relations among member states.
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