Who are the eight candidates running to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN chief?

The United Nations' most powerful body, the Security Council, meets Friday to hold another straw poll to gauge the popularity of a growing field of contenders to lead the embattled organisation. Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan was the front-runner after last month's first informal vote, in which the council's 15 members, including the five with veto power, pass judgment in secret on the candidates. Argentina's Rafael Mariano Grossi – the current head of the UN nuclear watchdog – is also a candidate along with Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador's Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Uganda's Olara Otunnu and Senegal's Macky Sall. After the first round concluded, Ecuador's Ivonne A-Baki threw her hat into the race to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026. Read moreUN leadership candidates outline visions ahead of secretary-general race Even if one candidate gets the required nine votes on the 15-member Security Council – which chooses the future UN chief before submitting the name for approval by the General Assembly – that candidate must also avoid a veto. Here is a look at the eight contenders: Rebeca Grynspa...