United States: Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said appointing a woman as Secretary-General of the United Nations would be an act of “historical justice” as she formally launched her campaign to become the organisation’s first female leader.

The former Ecuadorian foreign affairs and defence minister announced her candidacy to lead the United Nations from 2027, joining an expanding field of contenders that already includes two other women.

Speaking about her decision to enter the race, Espinosa said she has a “deep love” for the UN and believes the organisation should finally open its top post to women after eight decades.

“Some people say it is time” for a woman to lead the UN, she said, adding that she views it as “a matter of historical justice”.

Calls for broader representation at the UN

Espinosa argued that leadership at the UN should reflect the full range of global talent and experience.

“It’s also an issue of merit, of having the full pool of merit, experience and knowledge to the service of the United Nations,” she said.

“We cannot leave half of the world’s population outside of that possibility.”

She also said the current global climate demands new thinking and different leadership perspectives, particularly as the world faces rising conflicts and instability.

“If we really want change and transformation, why not have, after 80 years, a woman and the right woman leading the organisation?” she said.

Push for reforms and faster conflict prevention

Espinosa’s campaign comes at a time when the UN is facing criticism over its handling of global crises, financial pressures and accusations of failing to respond effectively to conflicts.

She said the organisation must adapt to changing global realities rather than expect the world to adjust around it.

“The UN has to adapt to the times we live in right now. It’s not the other way around,” she said, while also calling for reforms that go beyond those introduced by outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

According to Espinosa, the UN needs leadership that is active, energetic and capable of stepping in early to stop conflicts before they escalate.

“What we need is a leader that is hands-on, that has a lot of energy, that knows the system, that can be the first to arrive to prevent a conflict,” she said.

As part of her proposals, she suggested creating an “early warning” mechanism aimed at identifying signs of possible conflicts and enabling intervention before violence breaks out. The proposal was included in her vision document submitted with the backing of Antigua and Barbuda.

Respect for past UN leadership

Although she is campaigning on promises of change, Espinosa stressed that she does not intend to dismiss the work of previous UN leaders.

“We should be respectful and careful to say ‘the past doesn’t work and now... I’m a magician’,” she said.

She acknowledged that the Secretary-General’s role is extremely challenging but expressed confidence that strong leadership could help the UN move forward with greater optimism.

“It’s a difficult job, but when you know how to do the job, if you are confident about your leadership style, I think the UN can look at the 21st Century with more hope and with this sense of possibility,” she said.

Espinosa also maintained that meaningful reform cannot depend on one individual alone, saying real transformation would require political momentum supported by assertive leadership.

Experience within the UN system

Espinosa pointed to her long experience within the UN system as a key strength in her candidacy.

She previously served as Ecuador’s ambassador to the UN in both New York and Geneva before later becoming president of the UN General Assembly. She was one of only five women to hold that position.

Despite entering a competitive race, Espinosa avoided drawing comparisons with other candidates, including Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan and Macky Sall.

Agency inputs