Denmark aims for another straw poll in secretary-general selection, urges confidentiality

Ambassador Lesson discussed the secretary-general selection process and told reporters Denmark hopes to conduct another round of straw polls during its presidency, targeting about Aug. 21. She described the straw-poll process as a joint exercise under the UN Charter and noted the need for cooperation with the General Assembly's interactive dialogue.

Lesson said members had agreed not to release straw-poll results and called recent leaks "unfortunate." She declined to comment on specifics of previous straw-poll results and said the council would aim to follow established modalities, including the possibility of color-coded ballots in later rounds once a final candidate nears agreement.

"We agreed not to do so," Lesson said of releasing straw-poll results, adding that when the presidency and members commit to confidentiality they expect the rules to be respected.