Ecuador's María Fernanda Espinosa joins race for UN's top leadership role
Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa has entered the race to become the next UN Secretary-General. Nominated by Antigua and Barbuda, she joins a field of candidates vying to succeed António Guterres from January 2025. Espinosa is one of several Latin American women in contention, alongside former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan. Espinosa brings extensive UN experience to her candidacy. She previously served as President of the UN General Assembly from 2018 to 2019. Now, she is pushing for major reforms within the organisation.
Her campaign focuses on shifting the UN’s approach from crisis response to conflict prevention. She argues that more resources should go toward stopping disputes before they escalate. One urgent priority, she notes, is de-escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
A self-described 'proudly Ecuadorian woman,' Espinosa also calls for stronger unity across Latin America. She believes regional cooperation could amplify the continent’s influence on global issues.
The race remains open, with other contenders including Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi and Senegalese president Macky Sall. If selected, Espinosa would be the first woman from Latin America to hold the UN’s top post. Espinosa’s bid highlights a push for greater representation of women and Latin America in global leadership. Her proposed reforms target early intervention in conflicts rather than reactive measures. The final decision will shape the UN’s direction for the next five years.
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