00:00The race to lead the United Nations is entering a crucial phase
00:04as six candidates seek to become the next Secretary-General.
00:08With the end facing a growing funding shortfall and questions over its global credibility,
00:14each person has promised reforms aimed at restoring trust in the 80-year-old institution.
00:22The selection process would begin next week
00:25as outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres prepares to step down at the end of the year.
00:30Latin America is widely seen as the favourite to produce the next UN chief.
00:35Macky Sol of Senegal is the only candidate from outside the region.
00:40Member states are also pushing for history to be made,
00:43calling for the UN to appoint its first-ever woman Secretary-General.
00:48Other candidates in the running are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet,
00:52former UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador,
00:57International Atomic Energy Agency Chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina,
01:02UN Trade Chief Rebecca Greenspan of Costa Rica,
01:05and Guyana's former Foreign Minister Caroline Rodriguez Burkett.
01:09On July 30, the 15 members of the Security Council
01:13will hold their first closed-door straw poll to test support for the candidates.
01:17A series of secret ballots will follow
01:20until one candidate secures at least nine votes without a veto
01:25from any of the five permanent members
01:27and takes office on January 1, 2027.
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