ECUADOR’S Ivonne A-Baki, a diplomat who represented Quito in the United States, has entered the race to lead the UN, the head of the General Assembly said in a letter Tuesday.
Nominated by Tonga, the former foreign trade minister joins a growing field of candidates for secretary-general of the international organization, which has been buffeted by global divisions and budget issues.
A-Baki, born to Lebanese parents, was instrumental in brokering dialogue between Ecuador and Peru following their brief 1995 border war.
Five women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres of Portugal, who will complete his second five-year term on 31 December 2026. Nominations are still open, raising the prospect of further late entrants.
In its nomination, Tonga highlighted A-Baki’s roles as a cabinet minister, the first woman ambassador from Ecuador to Washington and ambassador to Qatar. — AFP
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