Ivonne Baki Defends UN Candidacy, Cites Lebanon Experience and Need for Reform

Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki presented her credentials as a candidate for UN Secretary-General, emphasizing her lifelong commitment to international peace. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York on August 20, 2026, Baki drew upon her experiences, including over two decades living amidst the civil war in Lebanon, to underscore her dedication to resolving global disputes.

"I was there in Lebanon for more than 20 years under the bombs. My children were born under the bombs, and the music that made them sleep were the bombs. I do this because I believe in peace for future generations and also for the current ones," Baki told reporters. The daughter of Lebanese immigrants with dual nationality, she officially announced her candidacy under the patronage of the Kingdom of Tonga and participated in an interactive dialogue with seven other contenders.

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I was there in Lebanon for more than 20 years under the bombs. My children were born under the bombs, and the music that made them sleep were the bombs. I do this because I believe in peace for future generations and also for the current ones.

Baki highlighted her three decades of public service representing Ecuador, including 10 years as ambassador in Washington, diplomatic roles in Qatar covering seven Middle Eastern nations, and missions in France and Monaco. "I returned and now I am a candidate for secretary-general of the United Nations because I believe that, to achieve peace in the world, we need the UN," she stated.

Addressing international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, Baki asserted that while the UN may not have prevented hostilities, it must find swift, mutually beneficial solutions to stop the loss of life. She pledged to visit any disputed territory, including Gaza, Palestine, and Israel, if she leads the organization. Baki also stressed the urgent need for structural reforms within the UN, arguing that current methods are ineffective. She affirmed her approach of engaging in dialogue with all political actors, including the U.S., Ecuador, and Lebanon, and advocated for the representation of island nations and small states on the global stage.

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I returned and now I am a candidate for secretary-general of the United Nations because I believe that, to achieve peace in the world, we need the UN.