Indonesia Calls for Credible, Impartial UN Secretary-General Election
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- Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has urged the UN Security Council to conduct a transparent, credible and impartial election for the next UN secretary-general.
- The selection process remains stalled after a seventh straw poll, with UNCTAD head Rebeca Grynspan and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi emerging as current front-runners.
- Jakarta emphasized that the incoming UN chief must bridge geopolitical divides, drive institutional reform and amplify the voices of developing nations.
JAKARTA, INDONESIAN POST — Indonesia has called on the United Nations Security Council to ensure a credible, transparent and impartial selection process for the next UN secretary-general, emphasizing the need for leadership capable of strengthening multilateralism amid rising global tensions.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated it is closely monitoring the selection process, particularly following the conclusion of the Security Council’s seventh straw poll on Oct. 30.
“Indonesia supports a credible, transparent and impartial selection process guided by the UN Charter and a strong commitment to multilateralism,” the ministry said in a social media post on Sunday.
The ministry noted that the recent entry of Lana Nusseibeh, nominated by the United Arab Emirates, is viewed as a natural extension of this ongoing selection process.
Selecting the next secretary-general “comes at a critical time for the United Nations and the world,” the ministry stated.
Jakarta maintains that the international body requires a leader who can unite divided nations, promote strict respect for international law and actively drive institutional reform. The Foreign Ministry added that Indonesia expects the incoming UN chief to amplify the voices of developing countries and deliver concrete results for all member states.
The race to select the UN’s top diplomat remains deadlocked, as the latest straw poll failed to yield a clear consensus among Security Council members.
According to leaked polling data cited by Xinhua, Rebeca Grynspan, former Costa Rican vice president and secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has emerged as a front-runner. She secured 11 “encourage” endorsements and four “discourage” votes.
Rafael Grossi of Argentina, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), followed closely with nine “encourage” votes, four “discourage” votes and one “no opinion” mark.
In response to the stalemate, Turkey officially nominated Feridun Sinirlioglu, secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as a new candidate. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted the nomination letter to the UN General Assembly president and the Security Council chair on Friday.
Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will conclude his tenure at the end of this year. His successor is scheduled to take office on Jan. 1, 2027.
ANTARA | INDONESIAN POST
