- Ivonne A-Baki, a diplomat who represented Quito in the United States, has entered the race to lead the UN, the head of the General Assembly said in a letter Tuesday.
- Nominated by Tonga, Ivonne A-Baki, Ecuador's former trade minister, joins a growing field to lead the United Nations.
- Five women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres of Portugal, who will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
- A-Baki, born to Lebanese parents, was instrumental in brokering dialogue between Ecuador and Peru following their brief 1995 border war.
- Tonga highlighted A-Baki's roles as a cabinet minister, the first woman ambassador from Ecuador to Washington, and ambassador to Qatar.
- Ivonne A-Baki emphasized her unique heritage and peace-brokering experience, stating, "I have lived through the ravages of war... 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."
Ecuadoran diplomat Ivonne A-Baki has officially entered the race to lead the United Nations, following her nomination by Tonga. A-Baki, who previously served as Ecuador's trade minister and ambassador to the U.S., is one of eight candidates vying to succeed Antonio Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.123456
A-Baki's unique background, being born to Lebanese parents, positions her as a candidate who bridges Latin America and the Middle East. She has emphasized her experience in peace negotiations, particularly her role in brokering dialogue between Ecuador and Peru after their 1995 border conflict. In her statement on X, she expressed, “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.”
A-Baki joins a diverse field of candidates, which includes five women and three men, as the UN faces challenges related to global divisions and budgetary constraints. Her nomination highlights the increasing representation of women in high-level diplomatic roles, as she aims to leverage her extensive experience to address the pressing issues facing the international community today.
As the election approaches, A-Baki's candidacy is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the UN's role in fostering peace and cooperation among nations.
“A-Baki, born to Lebanese parents, has highlighted her experience in brokering peace between Ecuador and Peru after their 1995 border war. She stated, "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."”
