A Lebanese woman as next UN Secretary-General?

With an extensive international career, deep involvement in peace efforts, and decades of diplomatic service, her candidacy is drawing attention both regionally and globally.

How the selection process will unfold

The UN has formally launched the process of choosing its next Secretary-General, marking the start of a carefully structured journey toward new leadership for the world’s most prominent multilateral institution.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Annalena Baerbock, confirmed that the official procedure to identify and appoint a successor to António Guterres has begun, with the next term set to start on 1 January 2027, after Guterres’ mandate concludes at the end of 2026.

Together with the rotating President of the Security Council, Michael Imran Janu of Sierra Leone, Baerbock signed a joint letter to all Member States, formally inviting nominations. The message encourages countries to prioritize transparency, fair representation, and regional diversity in their choices. Special attention was placed on the need to seriously consider female candidates, a long-standing demand from advocacy groups who point out that, in 8 decades, the organization has never been led by a woman.

The procedure is guided by General Assembly resolutions, including Resolution 79/327, which outlines a more inclusive and open framework. Member States may nominate candidates, who must then submit a vision statement, curriculum vitae, and disclosures regarding campaign funding. As nominations are received, a publicly accessible list will be updated, allowing global scrutiny of the process.

In 2026, the process will intensify through interactive dialogues in the General Assembly, broadcast worldwide. These sessions will offer candidates the opportunity to present their vision for the future of the UN while engaging with Member States in a transparent setting.

Who is Ivonne Abdel Baki?

Although born in Ecuador, Abdel Baki is of Lebanese origin, the daughter of a migrant from the town of Btater, Aley. Her personal story reflects the wider Lebanese diaspora’s reach across the world.

Abdel Baki is academically accomplished, holding a degree from the Sorbonne in arts and design and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Professionally, her record spans high-profile diplomatic roles in some of the most politically sensitive regions. She served as Ecuador’s ambassador to the United States (US), as well as to several countries in the Middle East and Europe, including Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, and France.

One of the defining moments in her career was her involvement in the 1998 peace agreement between Ecuador and Peru, which put an end to a decades-long border conflict. At the time, she was an adviser to Ecuadorian President Jamil Mouawad, himself of Lebanese descent. Her role in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation strengthened her reputation as a skilled negotiator capable of handling complex international disputes.

In addition to her diplomatic service, Abdel Baki held ministerial responsibilities in Ecuador between 2003 and 2005, where she was in charge of trade, industry, economic integration, fisheries, and competition. She later ran for the presidency of Ecuador and, though unsuccessful, went on to win a seat in the Andean Parliament in 2006. The following year, she was unanimously elected as its president, highlighting the respect she commanded among regional leaders.

Her international standing continued to grow. In 2009, she was considered for a senior position at UNESCO in Paris and, more recently, was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by the organization’s Director-General.

In conclusion, her election could add a new achievement and honor to Lebanon’s record and might even place the country in the future UN Secretary-General’s attention.

A new and unexpected name has entered conversations around the future leadership of the United Nations (UN). Lebanese-born diplomat Ivonne Abdel Baki has reportedly become a serious candidate to succeed current UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends in December 2026.