António Guterres will become the next U.N. secretary-general, following the Security Council’s “remarkably uncontentious and uncontroversial” straw poll Wednesday morning, according to Samantha Power, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations.
Guterres’ unofficial selection came as a surprise to some campaigners and advocacy groups observing the race — and a disappointment to those who had pushed for a woman to lead the U.N.
Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s U.N. and Security Council president announced the results of the straw poll following the closed door session, with the other 14 members of the UNSC standing beside him.
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About the author
Amy Liebermanamylieberman
Amy Lieberman is the U.N. Correspondent for Devex. She covers the United Nations and reports on global development and politics. Amy previously worked as a freelance reporter, covering the environment, human rights, immigration, and health across the U.S. and in more than 10 countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Nepal, and Cambodia. Her coverage has appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Slate, and the Los Angeles Times. A native New Yorker, Amy received her master’s degree in politics and government from Columbia’s School of Journalism.
