Zénon Mukongo Ngay (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Security Council President) on the interactive dialogue with Secretary-General candidates - Security Council Media Stakeout
Media Stakeouts
Date: 28 July 2026
Language: Floor (Original)
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/es/asset/k1c/k1cf0zd3yj?lang=floor
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Ambassador [0:00]:

Good morning. Members of the Security Council held an informal dialogue on July twenty seven, twenty twenty six with Miss Maria Fernanda Espinoza as a candidate presented by Antigua and Barbuda for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations. During the dialogue and before council members ask questions, and interact with her, Miss Maria Fernando Espinoza, presented her views on the challenges and opportunities facing the United Nations. The position of Secretary General is one of great importance. The Security Council will continue the process of selecting the Secretary General, in accordance with the provision of Article 97 of the UN Charter, the 25th November 25th joint letter from the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council, and guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity in a structured and timely manner. The Security Council plans to make its recommendations. to the General Assembly in a timely manner, so that the appointment by the assembly allows the newly elected secretary general sufficient time to prepare for the job. Thank you.


Journalist [1:34]:

Mr. Ambassador?


Ambassador [1:35]:

Yes. Please,


Journalist [1:36]:

Please go.

Considering the first propo on Thursday and the fact that the new candidate just a few days ago Will these new candidates be included in the straw poll or will you wait for the next straw poll?


Ambassador [1:52]:

As far as the new candidate issue is concerned, the members of the Security Council has decided that it should be included in the strooper, even if he has not passed the step of hearings yet. So as soon as he's around here, he will pass those steps, but we'll include him in the straw poll.


Journalist [2:15]:

So he will be in the straw poll?


Ambassador [2:16]:

He will be in the straw poll.


Journalist [2:18]:

And what time is the straw poll on Thursday?


Ambassador [2:21]:

Thursday I believe it's going to be in the morning. So is it


Journalist [2:28]:

Colored straw poll or no colored straw poll?


Ambassador [2:33]:

In my knowledge, it's going to be no colored. That's my knowledge. It might change any time, but I believe it's going to be no color.


Journalist [2:43]:

Did you explain why this new candidate will be included in the straw poll?


Ambassador [2:48]:

The explanation is that we don't want anybody to come and just say, well, there's seven candidates. Why did you put only six on the on the bulletin of Strupol? So we won't everybody to be included. But as soon as he gets here, he can pass the step of hearings. That that doesn't matter.


Journalist [3:11]:

When does he get here?


Ambassador [3:12]:

I have no idea. You know, he's coming from Uganda, and there are some concerns of visas and stuff, but I believe he's going to be here as soon as possible.


Journalist [3:23]:

You know him?


Ambassador [3:24]:

Yes, well, I know him very well for a long time.


Journalist [3:28]:

And he said on his CV that he invented the straw poll process.


Ambassador [3:35]:

Um, I'm, I cannot respond to that one, but I know the guy. The straw poll is something I don't know who invented it But maybe he was the one Thank you very much


Journalist [3:48]:

Thank


Ambassador [3:48]:

You All right.