Grynspan and Rodrigues Birkett continue to hold the top two spots in the latest straw poll, while Grossi slips to fourth place behind Otunnu.

Our partnership with 15 leading NGOs to scrutinize the policies of each candidate continues with the release of policy analyses of Ivonne A-Baki and Olara Otunnu.

1 for 8 Billion together with members of its NGO coalition has written to members of the Security Council to urge support for transparency, fairness and integrity in the process

On 21 August, the Security Council conducted its second straw poll of Secretary-General candidates. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett received the highest number of ‘encourage’ votes (8) followed by Rebeca Grynspan and Rafael Grossi (7 each).

All candidates were required to release financial disclosures upon their nomination, but Rodrigues Birkett is the first to release an updated disclosure several months into her campaign.

On 3 August 2026 a regional dialogue was convened by the Government of Uruguay, in its capacity as Pro Tempore President of CELAC, together with 1 for 8 Billion steering committee member GQUAL Campaign and Cepei Think Tank. Read a first hand account by Maria Noel Leoni, Campaign Director at GQUAL Campaign.