New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is set to step down at the end of his second five-year term on December 31 this year, bringing nearly a decade at the helm of the world body to a close. His successor will become the UN's 10th secretary-general and is scheduled to begin a five-year term on January 1, 2027.

The race has entered a crucial phase, with seven candidates currently seeking to succeed Guterres after former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet withdrew from the contest on September 20. The candidates are from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Senegal and Uganda. The UN Security Council has already conducted three informal straw polls, with further discussions and voting expected be...