Ecuadoran diplomat joins United Nations chief race

Ecuadoran diplomat Ivonne A-Baki has officially entered the race to lead the United Nations, nominated by the Pacific island nation of Tonga. The former foreign trade minister and representative of Quito to the United States is among a growing number of candidates seeking to succeed current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term concludes on December 31, 2026.

A-Baki, born to Lebanese parents, brings a unique background to the candidacy. She played a pivotal role in brokering dialogue between Ecuador and Peru following their brief 1995 border war. Her nomination by Tonga emphasized her experience as a cabinet minister, Ecuador's first female ambassador to Washington, and ambassador to Qatar.

"I have lived through the ravages of war," A-Baki stated on X, formerly Twitter. "As the only candidate whose heritage bridges Latin America and the Middle East, and the only nominee to have helped broker a peace agreement between two sovereign UN member states, I stand ready to help renew the UN Charter’s foundational promise: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war in a world where conflict continues to grow."

Her past involvement includes leading a plan to prevent oil exploitation in an Amazon reserve in exchange for international funding. However, this environmental initiative was shelved in 2013 by then-President Rafael Correa, who authorized crude extraction in Yasuni National Park after deeming the plan economically unfeasible.

Currently, five women and three men are in contention for the top UN post. Nominations remain open, potentially leading to more candidates entering the race. The UN Security Council recently held its first "straw poll" to gauge support among seven candidates, with United Nations insider Rebeca Grynspan reportedly leading after the initial round. Other nominees include Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, and Macky Sall of Senegal. Despite IAEA chief Grossi's high name recognition, observers note the absence of a clear frontrunner, with the process likely to extend for several months. The five permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, have yet to reveal their preferences, a crucial factor given their veto power.

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I have lived through the ravages of war. As the only candidate whose heritage bridges Latin America and the Middle East, and the only nominee to have helped broker a peace agreement between two sovereign UN member states, I stand ready to help renew the UN Charter’s foundational promise: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war in a world where conflict continues to grow.