Une femme cheffe de l'ONU? Un enjeu de "justice historique", pour la candidate équatorienne
Aged 61, the former Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, who proclaims her "deep love" for the UN, launched her campaign this week, joining four other candidates, including two women, to succeed Antonio Guterres on January 1, 2027.
"Some say it's time" for a woman to head the UN, and "I think it's a matter of historical justice, and also a matter of merit, of having a full pool of merit, experience and knowledge at the service of the United Nations," she said in an interview with AFP in New York.
"We cannot deprive half the world's population of this opportunity and I think that if we want change and transformation, why not have, after 80 years, a woman, and the right woman, at the head of the organization," she continued, mentioning in particular a "change of perspective" in a complicated international context.
As the world experiences a record number of conflicts since the end of World War II, the nomination process takes place within an organization in political and financial crisis, targeted by accusations of inaction.
In this context, "obviously, (the UN) is a living organism that must change, transform and adapt. That's normal," she emphasizes, arguing for going further than the UN80 reform launched by Antonio Guterres a year ago to improve its functioning.
With this in mind, "we need an involved leader, with a lot of energy, who knows the system, who can be the first to arrive to prevent a conflict."
In her "vision" letter accompanying her candidacy presented by Antigua and Barbuda, she proposes the creation of an "early warning" system collecting "signals" from the field to intervene before a conflict breaks out.
However, she does not want to cast blame on current and past secretaries-general. It's too easy to say that "the past didn't work" and to present oneself as a "magician" who will change everything, she says.
"It's a difficult position."
"But if you know how to do this job, if you have confidence in your way of leading, I think the UN can look towards the 21st century with more confidence and with a sense that change is possible," she continued, noting that it cannot be the responsibility of one person alone, but requires a common "political momentum" under "strong and assertive leadership."
Because for her, despite the attacks against multilateralism, the UN "is the one and only universal platform to deal with the common challenges of humanity".
The Ecuadorian, who notably served as her country's ambassador to the UN in New York and then in Geneva, and as president of the United Nations General Assembly - one of only five women to have held this position - is highlighting her knowledge of the "house" to launch her campaign.
While refusing to compare herself to her opponents: Chilean Michelle Bachelet, Argentinian Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan and Senegalese Macky Sall.
![[EXCLUSIF] Expulsion de la famille Srour : L'accusée Khady Diagne se prononce, documents à l'appui](https://image.seneweb.com/content/news/2026-20-14//thumb_1260x800_6a05cc2715573_a9nMMiStMC.jpg)
Commentaires (5)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.