As the United Nations prepares for a leadership transition, the competition for the next Secretary-General is intensifying. Former UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has been officially recommended as a candidate for the position, according to La Neice Collins, spokeswoman for the current UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.
Espinosa's candidacy was put forward by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, signaling her entry into a high-stakes diplomatic race to lead the world's premier international organization.
A distinguished diplomat from Ecuador, Espinosa possesses a deep portfolio of international and national service. She previously served as the 73rd president of the UN General Assembly between 2018 and 2019. Her extensive experience also includes serving as Ecuador's permanent representative to the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, as well as holding the roles of Ecuador's foreign minister on two separate occasions and the country's defense minister.
Espinosa is currently one of five candidates vying for the role. The field consists of seasoned global leaders, including Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile and former UN high commissioner for human rights; Rafael Grossi of Argentina, the current director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, the current secretary-general of UN Trade and Development; and Macky Sall, a former president of Senegal.
The current ninth secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, who took office in January 2017, is nearing the end of his term. The next Secretary-General is scheduled to assume the role on January 1, 2027, making the current selection process a pivotal moment for the future of global governance.
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Former UN General Assembly president Espinosa runs for next UN chief
cgtn.com
