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Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki has entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations after being nominated by Tonga. Her entry brings the number of candidates to eight as the organisation prepares for the departure of António Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026.
A-Baki, who previously served as Ecuador’s foreign trade minister and ambassador to the United States, France and Qatar, is known for her role in facilitating dialogue between Ecuador and Peru following their 1995 border conflict. Tonga described her as an experienced and unifying leader capable of strengthening multilateral cooperation at a critical time for the UN.
The selection process is expected to involve further informal polls among the 15-member UN Security Council before a candidate is recommended to the General Assembly for approval. A-Baki joins other contenders including Rebeca Grynspan, Rafael Grossi, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Macky Sall and Olara Otunnu, with no clear favourite yet emerging.
