A candidate from Ecuador for United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has called for a responsible downsizing of the organisation, arguing that reform is needed to restore its credibility and effectiveness.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, a former foreign affairs and defence minister of Ecuador, made the remarks during a hearing on her candidacy to succeed current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when his term ends later this year.
A Case For Reform
While stressing that the UN remains indispensable, Espinosa said the organisation is often perceived as slow, fragmented and sidelined in addressing global challenges. She argued that rebuilding trust would require tangible reforms and a clearer demonstration of results.
Espinosa, who previously served as Ecuador’s ambassador to the UN and president of the UN General Assembly, suggested that some responsibilities currently handled by the organisation could be taken on by national governments.
She served in the leftist administration of former President Rafael Correa but has distanced herself from his party in recent years. She was nominated by the tiny Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The current Ecuadorean government of President Daniel Noboa, a right-wing ally of Trump, has not commented on her candidacy.
A Crowded Field
She is one of six candidates seeking the UN’s top job. The race includes former leaders and senior diplomats from Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean, all of whom have pledged to pursue reforms while defending the organisation’s founding principles.
Time for A Woman At The Helm
Espinosa also highlighted the absence of women in the secretary-general role, saying the UN should consider female leadership after 80 years — provided it chooses “the right woman” for the job.
The next secretary-general will inherit an organisation facing mounting pressure to demonstrate its relevance amid growing geopolitical tensions and criticism of its effectiveness.
(With input from Reuters)
