The UN Security Council is preparing to hold its first informal straw poll in the race to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, a step aimed at gauging the level of support for candidates to succeed António Guterres.

Diplomatic sources in New York said the straw poll is expected on July 30, as the competition enters a more serious phase before Guterres' term ends on December 31 after two full terms at the helm of the international organization.

The straw poll does not represent a final selection but serves as an early test of power dynamics within the Security Council, revealing each candidate's ability to garner support and avoid objections from the five permanent members.

Under the selection mechanism, a candidate needs the support of at least 9 out of the 15 Security Council members, with the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom holding veto power over any candidate.

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After the Security Council agrees on a candidate, the name is forwarded to the UN General Assembly for endorsement.

So far, six candidates have entered the race, including International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, along with Rebecca Grinspun, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, María Fernanda Espinosa, and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

The competition gains an additional dimension due to the unwritten convention of geographical rotation, which this time strengthens the demands of Latin American and Caribbean countries to assume the post.

The race also reopens the issue of women's representation in the top UN post, as no woman has held the office of Secretary-General since the organization's founding.