SAN JOSE (Reuters) -Costa Rica will nominate former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan for United Nations secretary-general, President Rodrigo Chaves said on Wednesday.
Calls have been growing for a woman to assume the role for the first time in the U.N.’s 80-year history, and the next secretary-general will likely come out of Latin America.
Grynspan, a 69-year-old politician and economist, currently serves as Secretary-General of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“We trust that the track record and commitment of Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, who has extensive experience in development, international cooperation and regional leadership, will significantly contribute to strengthening multilateralism,” Chaves said in a pre-recorded video.
The daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants, Grynspan is being presented as a candidate of moderation, seen as necessary in a turbulent global environment that has called into question the U.N.’s ability to maintain international peace and security.
“Her extensive resume and insider knowledge make her a competitive candidate, although the current global climate makes the outcome very difficult to predict,” said Carlos Cascante, a Costa Rican international relations analyst.
Her previous roles include leading the Ibero-American General Secretariat and serving as a U.N. under-secretary-general and as associate administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Cascante warned that with the Gaza war approaching its two-year mark, Grynspan’s Jewish heritage, along with the Chaves government’s closeness to U.S. President Donald Trump, could be factors she will have to navigate to avoid vetoes from powerful member states and secure support from other nations.
Grynspan’s nomination follows that of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, whose candidacy was announced two weeks ago. Speculation is also mounting around a potential bid from Mexican Environment Minister Alicia Barcena, a former foreign minister and past head of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
The United Nations has never been led by a woman. During the General Assembly in late September, several leaders made strong calls for a woman to take the helm when current chief Antonio Guterres of Portugal steps down at the end of 2026.
(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Diego Ore; Editing by Natalia Siniawski)
Comments