Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan remains the leading candidate to become the next United Nations Secretary-General after a new informal Security Council poll.

Grynspan has retained her position at the front of the race to become the 10th Secretary-General of the United Nations following a fifth informal poll by the Security Council on Wednesday, according to two sources familiar with the process.

A secret ballot involving all 15 council members came after several days of diplomatic discussions in New York, with previous rounds failing to produce a candidate with decisive support.

Although Grynspan continues to lead the seven candidates seeking the position, her backing fell slightly from the previous week’s poll, pointing to continued uncertainty over the outcome.

The latest result could also encourage other senior candidates to join the contest as negotiations continue among Security Council members.

The selection is taking place as the 193-member United Nations faces several major challenges, including ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, reductions in US financial contributions and concerns over the organisation’s declining political influence.

The next UN chief will therefore inherit a global institution under pressure on several fronts, particularly as Washington has withdrawn from a number of UN agencies. (Arise News)