Ivonne Baki, an Ecuadorian diplomat with Lebanese heritage, is one of eight candidates vying to become the next United Nations secretary‑general. Drawing on her childhood experience in war‑torn Beirut, Baki told an informal dialogue with UN member states and civil‑society groups that she will prioritize conflict prevention and a renewal of the organization.
Personal commitment to peace
“More than 40 years ago, in a basement in Beirut, I held my three children as bombs fell around us. I promised that if they survived, I would devote my life to peace,” Baki said. She added that she has kept that promise by working toward a United Nations that can stop conflicts before they erupt.
On‑the‑ground diplomacy
Baki, the second‑oldest candidate at 75, pledged to be present in war zones and areas of tension, engaging directly with all parties rather than remaining solely at the New York headquarters. She also called for a more representative Security Council, noting that it remains “frozen in the geopolitical landscape” of the post‑World War II era.
Political context
Secretary‑general Antonio Guterres will step down at the end of the year after two five‑year terms. The role traditionally rotates among regions, with Latin America expected to be next. A straw poll in July showed Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan as a narrow frontrunner; Baki was only nominated this week and was not included in that poll.
U.S. ties and other contenders
Baki has served as Ecuador’s minister and ambassador to France, Qatar and the United States. She has publicly acknowledged friendships with former President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton, and has said her candidacy enjoys U.S. support, though the United States has not commented.
Other candidates include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorian foreign minister María Fernanda Espinosa, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu. The Security Council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—hold veto power, making their approval crucial for any eventual selection.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
