Costa Rica nominated the U.N. official who played a key role in shaping last December's historic agreement to fight climate change on Thursday as its candidate to be the next secretary-general of the United Nations, according to AP. Christiana Figueres is the 12th contender in the race to succeed Ban Ki-moon after his second five-year term as U.N. chief ends on Dec. 31. Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis said the U.N. and the world need Figueres because she is a proven "bridge builder" who can listen, consult, help resolve disputes, build agreements and anticipate problems. The Security Council is expected to hold its first "straw poll" on July 21 where the 15 members will cast ballots saying "encourage," "discourage" or "no opinion" for each candidate. There is no deadline for candidates to apply and additional contenders could enter the race at any time before a final vote. No date has been set, but it's likely to take place in September or October.
