The U.N. Security Council began the process of selecting the international body¡¯s next secretary-general on Thursday, holding a first ¡°straw poll¡± to gauge the seven candidates¡¯ support for the high-profile global statesman role.

Following the first round of voting, ambassadors of the 15 Security Council members were tight-lipped about the outcome of the secret poll.

Four women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will complete his second five-year term on Dec. 31.