Doha, 21 August 2026

By Ashraf Siddiqui-Doha

Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki has formally entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, bringing more than four decades of diplomatic, political and peacebuilding experience to a contest that is expected to continue into the fall.

At 75, Baki is the eighth candidate seeking to succeed Portugal’s Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31. Her nomination by Tonga makes her the second Ecuadorian in the race, following former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa.

“I am humbled and honored to announce that I am now an official candidate for the Office of Secretary-General of the United Nations,” Baki said in a statement posted on X.

Baki is campaigning on a platform of “renewal” for an organization facing growing demands for greater efficiency, stronger multilateral cooperation and a more effective response to global crises.

Her career spans four continents and includes senior diplomatic assignments, government leadership, conflict resolution, environmental protection and international cooperation. She has served twice as Ecuador’s ambassador to the United States, as ambassador to France and Monaco, and as ambassador to Qatar (2017-2020) and several Middle Eastern countries.

She also served as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, Fisheries and Competitiveness and later became president of the Andean Parliament.

Among the achievements she emphasizes most is her involvement in the negotiations that contributed to the 1998 Ecuador-Peru Peace Agreement, an experience that shaped her approach to diplomacy and conflict resolution.

“I have lived through the ravages of war,” Baki said, presenting herself as a candidate capable of building bridges between regions and cultures. She describes her Latin American and Middle Eastern heritage as an asset in addressing an increasingly divided international system.

Environmental protection is another central element of her record. Baki served as chief negotiator of the Yasuní-ITT initiative, aimed at protecting Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. She has also been involved in financing efforts for the Galápagos and helped negotiate a four-nation agreement involving Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica to strengthen protection of the Galápagos Marine Corridor.

Her vision for the United Nations extends beyond traditional diplomacy. She advocates stronger action on climate change and biodiversity, greater Indigenous participation, responsible artificial intelligence and expanded access to future-skills education for young people.

Baki has pledged to help move the UN away from excessive focus on procedures and toward measurable results for its 193 member states and the billions of people they represent.

Her nomination by Tonga has attracted particular attention. Rather than being nominated by Ecuador, Baki’s home country, or Lebanon, where she has longstanding connections, she was put forward by the Pacific island kingdom.

Tonga’s UN Ambassador Viliami Va'inga Tone said Baki possessed the experience, diplomatic skills and integrity required to strengthen multilateralism. Baki, in turn, thanked Tonga’s leadership for supporting her vision of peace and institutional renewal.

Her longstanding relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump is another distinctive feature of her candidacy. Baki has said she has known Trump for decades and has credited him with helping prevent a wider international conflict. Their relationship reportedly dates back to around 2000 and was strengthened through Ecuador’s involvement in the Miss Universe pageant in 2004.

However, Baki has not always agreed with Trump. During his first presidency, she criticized aspects of his Middle East policy, including the 2017 decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The campaign is also unfolding amid calls for the first woman to lead the United Nations. Among the other candidates are former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese President Macky Sall and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu.

The Security Council has begun conducting non-binding straw polls to gauge support. A candidate ultimately needs at least nine votes, while any of the five permanent members — the United States, China, France, Russia or the United Kingdom- can block a nominee.

Baki enters that process with a campaign centred on diplomacy, peace, biodiversity, Indigenous partnership and institutional reform.

Her message is straightforward: a changing world requires a United Nations that is faster, more inclusive and more focused on delivering tangible results. Her candidacy now adds another distinctive voice to one of the most consequential international leadership contests of 2026.