Ecuadoran diplomat joins United Nations chief race

Ecuador's Ivonne A-Baki, a former foreign trade minister, has joined the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, according to the head of the General Assembly. Nominated by Tonga, A-Baki brings a unique perspective to the role, as the first woman and the only candidate with a heritage bridging Latin America and the Middle East.

She has previously served as Ecuador's ambassador to the United States and Qatar. A-Baki's nomination highlights her diplomatic experience, including her role in brokering peace between Ecuador and Peru following their 1995 border war. With five women and three men currently in contention to succeed Antonio Guterres, the UN chief, the race for the position remains open.

If successful, A-Baki would need to secure nine votes from the 15 available in the UN Security Council, without facing a veto from the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.