The candidate nominated by Antigua and Barbuda to lead the United Nations has formally outlined her vision for the organization as the global selection process advances to its next phase.
According to Antigua News Room, former President of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés participated in an interactive dialogue with UN member states and civil society on June 15, presenting her priorities for succeeding Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term concludes on December 31.
Espinosa, an Ecuadorian diplomat whom Antigua and Barbuda nominated in May, said her campaign centres on rebuilding trust in the United Nations and strengthening the organization's ability to deliver meaningful results for member states.
Her platform rests on five core priorities: peace and security, sustainable development, energy and digital transformation, closing the gap between commitments and implementation, and enhancing the UN's overall capacity to fulfil its mandate.
The dialogue is part of the General Assembly's transparent selection process, which allows candidates to present their vision and field questions from governments and civil society representatives before the UN Security Council makes a formal recommendation.
Espinosa is one of six candidates vying 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 assume office in January 2027 for an initial five-year term. If elected, Espinosa would make history as the first woman to serve as UN Secretary-General.
Antigua and Barbuda announced its nomination of Espinosa on May 11, backing the former General Assembly president as the twin-island nation seeks to help shape the future leadership of the United Nations.
