The candidate nominated by Antigua and Barbuda to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has formally presented her vision for the organization as the global selection process moves into its next phase.
Former President of the United Nations General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés participated in an interactive dialogue with UN member states and civil society on June 15, outlining her priorities if selected to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on Dec. 31.
Espinosa, an Ecuadorian diplomat nominated by Antigua and Barbuda in May, said her campaign is centered on rebuilding trust in the United Nations and improving the organization’s ability to deliver results for member states.
Her platform focuses on five priorities: peace and security, sustainable development, energy and digital transformation, closing the gap between commitments and implementation, and strengthening the UN’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
The dialogue formed part of the General Assembly’s transparent selection process, which gives candidates an opportunity to present their vision and answer questions from governments and representatives of civil society before a recommendation is made by the UN Security Council.
Espinosa is among six candidates seeking to become the United Nations’ tenth Secretary-General. The field also includes Rafael Mariano Grossi of Argentina, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Macky Sall of Senegal, and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett.
The successful candidate will take office in January 2027 for an initial five-year term. If elected, Espinosa would become the first woman to serve as Secretary-General in the organization’s history.
Antigua and Barbuda announced its nomination of Espinosa on May 11, backing the former General Assembly president as the country seeks to play a role in shaping the future leadership of the United Nations.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua-Backed Candidate Makes Case for UN's Top Job.