The UN Security Council straw polls open the decisive phase of the race for Secretary-General. Through these informal ballots, the fifteen Council members gauge, candidate by candidate, the support each contender commands before recommending a name to the General Assembly. Each member marks "encourage", "discourage" or "no opinion"; the ten elected members cast two thirds of the votes, and the five permanent members retain, at the final stage, their veto.
It is in this setting that the candidates appear at the same tribune, in the General Assembly Hall, answering questions from delegations, UN staff and civil society, live on UN Web TV. The exercise, organised by the Office of the President of the General Assembly with the support of Bloomberg, confronts the six contenders, for the first time, with the same questions.
President Macky Sall brings to it a simple compass: listen, then act. His vision is an inclusive, action-oriented United Nations, faithful to the Charter's three pillars, peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and open to partnerships with civil society, young people and the private sector. A streamlined Organisation, able to do better with less, and accountable to every member state, large and small.
The only African candidate in the race, nominated by Burundi on 2 March 2026, President Macky Sall has carried Senegal's candidacy since 20 July: the Government and Senegal's entire diplomatic network are mobilised, in the words of the official communiqué, in the service of Africa and of a more effective multilateralism. Experience gives this candidacy its foundation: twelve years as Head of State, the chairmanship of the African Union in 2022, the continent's voice carried through the food, health and energy crises.
Six candidacies have been submitted to date. The Security Council straw polls will reveal, this very week, the true hierarchy of the race; the General Assembly will appoint the next Secretary-General, whose term begins on 1 January 2027.
Africa at its heart, the world in its sights.
Learn more: www.mackysall.net