NEW YORK, United States — Antigua and Barbuda is seeking support for its nominee to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, telling world leaders at the General Assembly that María Fernanda Espinosa is the best-suited candidate to fill the position when António Guterres steps down later this year.

Espinosa, the former Ecuadorian foreign minister, made history as the 73rd president of the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, becoming the fourth woman and the first representative from Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the position.

Speaking during Antigua and Barbuda’s country presentation at the General Debate on September 28, Permanent Representative Walton Alfonso Webson said Espinosa has the experience and qualities needed to lead the UN at a time when it is facing multiple challenges, including wars.

“The next Secretary-General will inherit a United Nations confronting wars and conflicts that devastate lives and undermine international stability. Deep geopolitical divisions, financial constraints, the climate emergency and declining trust will test the Organisation’s capacity to respond,” Webson said.

“Excellencies, the choice before us is about more than selecting an individual. It is about the future direction of this Organisation. That is why Antigua and Barbuda has nominated María Fernanda Espinosa to serve as the next Secretary-General. We believe she is the right leader for this moment.”

“After more than eighty years, no woman has ever served as Secretary-General. The time has come. Our case for María Fernanda Espinosa rests on more than gender. It rests on competence, experience, independence and leadership.”

“At a time of fragmentation, the United Nations needs a credible bridge-builder capable of restoring confidence in multilateralism. Antigua and Barbuda believes that María Fernanda Espinosa can provide that leadership.”

Webson said multilateralism is under “profound strain”, while economic uncertainty continues to grow and technology is advancing faster than governance.

Antigua and Barbuda’s support for Espinosa represents a rare public disagreement among CARICOM member states at the UN, with other Caribbean countries backing Guyana’s nominee, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the position.

Rodrigues-Birkett was recently listed as a top candidate following a straw poll conducted in the UN Security Council.

Caribbean leaders have used their contributions to campaign for the Guyanese diplomat, saying she is the best person for the job in a field of six candidates.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the island was joining other CARICOM member states in giving Rodrigues-Birkett its “full support”.

“At a moment when the international community is being called upon to renew its faith in multilateralism, we believe that Ambassador Rodriguez-Birkett brings to this task the experience, the skills, and the understanding to serve the entire membership of this organisation,” Mottley said.

The campaign has come amid reports that the United States could veto Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy over previous comments she made about the conflict in Gaza.

However, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said on September 25 that the United States had not communicated any decision to veto her candidacy.

The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly following a recommendation from the Security Council, where the five permanent members hold veto power.