Ivonne Baki enters race for UN Secretary-General

United Nations Secretary-General Ivonne Baki multilateralism diplomacy

Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki has officially entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her candidacy was formally presented to the UN General Assembly by the Kingdom of Tonga.

Baki, 75, is a former Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Trade and has served as an ambassador to the United States, France, and Qatar. She is noted for her role in mediating the peace agreement between Ecuador and Peru following their 1995 border conflict. She also highlighted her unique background, being the only candidate whose heritage connects Latin America and the Middle East.

Baki joins a field of eight candidates seeking to succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. The current pool of aspirants includes five women and three men, such as former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan. The selection process involves recommendations from the UN Security Council and a formal appointment by the General Assembly.

Entities

Antonio Guterres · Ecuador · Ivonne Baki · Tonga · United Nations · United Nations Security Council

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] Baki previously served as Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Trade and as ambassador to the United States, France, and Qatar. bbc.bm · www.elrancaguino.cl · www.zeit.de · www.g4media.ro · observador.pt · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Ivonne Baki announced her official candidacy via a message on X. www.prensa-latina.cu · www.expreso.ec · sapo.pt
[● 6 SOURCES] António Guterres will complete his second term as UN Secretary-General on December 31, 2026. bbc.bm · www.elrancaguino.cl · observador.pt · www.prensa-latina.cu · www.expreso.ec · +1 more
[DISPUTED] There are currently five women and three men competing for the UN leadership position. www.zeit.de · observador.pt
[● 3 SOURCES] Baki is the eighth candidate to join the race to replace António Guterres. bbc.bm · cyprus-mail.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 5 SOURCES] Baki is of Lebanese descent. www.zeit.de · observador.pt · www.prensa-latina.cu · www.expreso.ec · sapo.pt
[● 2 SOURCES] Ivonne Baki participated in the mediation of a peace agreement between Ecuador and Peru. www.zeit.de · sapo.pt
[● 7 SOURCES] The Kingdom of Tonga officially nominated Ivonne Baki for the position of UN Secretary-General. bbc.bm · www.elrancaguino.cl · www.zeit.de · www.g4media.ro · observador.pt · +2 more