Ecuadoran diplomat enters race to be next UN chief

Ecuadoran diplomat Ivonne A-Baki has entered the race to become the next UN secretary-general, according to a letter from the head of the General Assembly. Nominated by Tonga, A-Baki joins a field of candidates including five women and three men, vying for the leadership of the international organization. Known for her diplomatic skills and efforts to broker peace, A-Baki was previously Ecuador's foreign trade minister and played a key role in resolving a border dispute between Ecuador and Peru in 1995.

She emphasizes her ability to bridge Latin America and the Middle East, highlighting her unique background as the first woman ambassador from Ecuador to Washington and ambassador to Qatar. The UN Security Council will conduct a straw poll to assess support for the seven candidates, with the current frontrunner being Rebeca Grynspan.

The process could last several months, and once a candidate secures the required nine votes from the 15 members, they must avoid a veto from the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.