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Former Ecuadorian foreign minister María Fernanda Espinosa has officially entered the race to become the next UN secretary-general.
Nominated by Antigua and Barbuda, she is the fifth candidate seeking to succeed Antonio Guterres when his term concludes at the end of the year.
Espinosa, who previously made history as the president of the General Assembly, brings extensive diplomatic and defence experience to a field of contenders heavily represented by Latin American leaders.
The current list of candidates includes Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, and Macky Sall of Senegal.
While her competitors underwent public interviews in April, Espinosa will soon face the same vetting process by member states.
Her candidacy aligns with a strong international push for a female leader, as the United Nations has never had a woman serve in its top position since its founding.
The selection process moves to the Security Council this July, where the five permanent members—the US, China, Russia, the UK, and France—hold the power to veto any candidate.
Once a recommendation is made, the General Assembly will vote on the appointment for a five-year term.
The winner of this high-stakes diplomatic race is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027, as the world body navigates a period of significant global transition.
