Maria Fernanda Espinosa - Interactive dialogue for the position of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations

Please take your seats.
Good afternoon.
I call to order the informal meeting to conduct an interactive dialogue with miss Maria Fernandes Espinosa, candidate for the position of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Today's interactive dialogue marks a critical step in the selection and appointment process for the next Secretary-General, while also coming at a pivotal moment for the United Nations.
The person who we select will be more than the face of this institution.
Our choice will send a powerful message about who we are and whether we truly serve all 8 billion people of the world in all their diversity.
The multilateral system with the United Nations at its center is under unprecedented political and financial pressure from a deepening liquidity crisis to fundamental principles of the UN charter being put into question.
The next Secretary-General will be entrusted not only with navigating these challenges, but also with advancing essential reforms to ensure the United Nations is fit for the future.
At the same time, the world needs the United Nations more than ever, and it needs the Secretary-General who can provide strong, principled and effective leadership across all three pillars, peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
These interactive dialogues, which I convene in line with General Assembly Resolution 79 Stroke 327 offer unique opportunity for candidates to present their vision for the future of this organization and for member states and civil society to ask questions and interact directly with candidates.
The interactive dialogues are essential to ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection appointment process while underlining the important role of the General Assembly.
I encourage you to make full use of this opportunity, and I thank all candidates for their active participation, member states and civil society for their questions and engagement.
But these dialogues do not end in this chamber.
They are also an opportunity for people around the world, the very people the United Nations serves to listen, to engage, and to hold this process to the highest standards.
For this decision does not only concern a few but all of us in and outside the United Nations who look to this institution to reflect the principles and values it champions.
As reflected in my letters dated March 4th, April 15th, and June 1st, 2026, the dialogue will begin with an introduction by the candidate of their vision and priorities for up to 10 minutes, followed by an interactive exchange.
Each interactive dialogue will last up to 3 hours.
The interactive exchange will take place in two segments.
We will begin with a 1.5 hour discussion focused on leadership abilities, experience, and skills needed to lead a strong organization that is fit for the future.
Following this, we will move into the second segment, which will focus on the three pillars of the United Nations peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
In line with revitalization resolutions, civil society representative will be invited to pose questions in each of the two thematic segments.
Before proceeding to hear the presentation of the vision of the candidate, I would like to inform members on how to incribe to speak in the two thematic segments.
Delegations wishing to speak can register their wish to speak by pressing the microphone button.
Please do not press the microphone button yet.
I will announce when delegations will be asked to press the microphone button at the beginning of the first segment.
Member states speaking on behalf of groups are invited to approach the list of speakers table and will be given priority.
Delegations can speak only once in each segment, whether on behalf of a group or in national capacity.
In the second segment, priority will be given to delegations that did not have an opportunity to speak during the first segment.
By this, I asked the last people entering the room to please take your seat, and I invite miss Espinosa to present her vision.
Please, you have the floor.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President.
Excellent.
Excellencies, good afternoon.
It's an honor to be back here at what has been my home for such a long part of my life as a permanent representative, as Minister for foreign affairs, and as president of the General Assembly.
This is the feeling that the 8 billion people that you represent should have, that the United Nations are their home, that they belong to all of us.
That's why I would like to speak frankly today.
Because our people fill the gaps between the promises that we make and the needs of their daily life.
As Foreign Minister of Ecuador, I hosted talks between the Colombian government and the Yen.
I am also a poet.
So I know words matter.
They have consequences.
They can provide hope.
We, the peoples, but without action, words are empty.
This room, the Prostacy council chamber is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite around a common purpose, supporting member states on their path to peace, to sovereignty and dignity, rebuilding lives, economies, and dreams.
The purposes and principles of the charter are as relevant today as they were in 1945, perhaps even more so in this age of complexity.
When hard worn progress is under threat, when our systems seem past their prime, when new challenges risk undermining cooperation when the need has never been greater.
That is why we need a UN that everyone can count on because no nation is immune to geopolitics and geoeconomics.
No nation should bear the burden of acting alone.
No nation should be excluded from the benefits that will emerge if and only if we work together.
The need for the UN remains undeniable.
Yet too often the UN is missing in action or relegated to the sidelines.
Too often, it is slow, fragmented, and constrained.
Financial pressures are not the cause.
They are the consequence of deeper challenges.
The UN needs to reveal credibility and show not just say that it can deliver real change, be a trusted partner and add value.
I have worked across the UN pillars and regions.
I know the organization inside out, but have never been part of the UN system.
I understand its strengths, constraints, and dynamics.
I understand its critics.
Even them believe in its huge potential.
It is up to us to work together to prove the organization's value.
I have presided over the most representative body in the world, this assembly.
I come from the ranks of member states.
I have the vision, the stamina, the conviction to serve you all with impartiality and impact.
Excellencies, we cannot carry on like this.
We must seize this opportunity to build a more effective and trusted UN.
Too often we spend our time diagnosing the problems instead of forging solutions.
I am deeply honored to be supported by Antigua and Barbuda.
Like so many small states, including my own, Ecuador, they have made an outstanding contribution to the UN.
Secretary-General needs to lead as well as listen.
That is why before deciding to pursue my candidacy, I listen to many of you and after listening, my vision centers on four key transformations with proposals that are ready for implementation with member states blessing, of course.
First, we must act early before crises erupts and the space for diplomacy closes.
We must re center prevention, mediation, and early action as our primary aim.
We must make peace possible again.
I will establish a prevention and early action hub in my office to ensure that early warnings lead to timely responses.
I will work with the Security Council, the primary UN body tasked with the maintenance of peace and security.
The Secretary-General and her good offices must be ready to go when and where you need.
And I will ensure the UN anticipates and actively manages the global fallout from conflict, from humanitarian diplomacy, terrorism, and organized crime to energy shocks, food insecurity, and inflation.
This cannot be an afterthought.
It must be embedded into our response.
Second, we must deliver.
The sustainable development goals reflect our shared ambition, but ambition does not feed our children.
It does not address debt payments and lack of concessional finance.
It does not protect small islands from rising sea levels or reduce trade costs for landlocked developing countries.
As Secretary-General, I will work with member states to assess where progress remains possible, drawing on the UN's analytical capacities and deploying AI tools alongside the deep experience of our staff.
I will champion fiscal space for national governments.
The UN is not the main forum for finance, debt, or trade, but it can be better at convening and as a supporting actor.
I will connect the dots between different groups and meetings reflect the views of those not in the room and work with all governments north and south, east and west to find ways to move forward.
I will also consult member states on a new development approach, one that strengthens national sovereignty while rationalizing the UN's budget and bureaucracy.
Development cannot be designed in New York.
It must be demand driven and nationally led.
Instead of looking for funds to sustain large programs, we need to focus on a managed transition to a linear UN that supports national actors.
Third, we must leverage our convening superpower.
Energy, technology, and demographic changes are reshaping our world at extraordinary pace.
The UN is the only forum where all countries can come together to discuss the risks and the opportunities.
I will work tirelessly to use the convening power of the UN and of the Secretary-General on energy, for example, energy issues are fragmented across the UN.
I will improve energy security coordination within the UN system to support member states in addressing shocks and supply chain disruption.
On technology, we should build on the digital compact and global dialogue on AI.
The world benefits most when AI advances responsibly and fosters prosperity.
The UN must support AI for the future, not the f.
Fourth, we must prove our value every day.
The United Nations must be judged by how many lives it saves and improves.
Every reform effort, management decision, and budget discussion must be in service of peace, development, and human rights.
If not, we must be brave enough to stop and change course.
That will be my guiding principle, building, of course, on the UNAT process.
Excellence Excellencies.
In these complex times, we must move beyond binary thinking, secretary or general.
As chief administrative officer, I will strive to build a united organization, not a collection of entities competing for resources.
I remain a global ambassador, facilitator, and impartial intermediary.
I will serve all member states without discrimination.
The Secretary-General must never become the representative of a bloc, a region, or any geopolitical alignment.
As a peace builder, I will place prevention at the heart of my efforts and will strive to preserve political space for dialogue, to strengthen mediation, to support peace initiatives and blue helmets, and to ensure that the organization acts before crises escalate into conflicts and conflicts into catastrophes.
Yes.
On this constrained geopolitical and financial environment, our choices can feel zero sum.
Sovereignty or cooperation, principles or pragmatism, cutting costs or saving lives.
We must not give in cynicism.
International law upholds sovereignty.
Human rights support peace, educating girls boosts development.
There are still win wins.
We can shrink the UN responsibly while strengthening national ownership and delivery and restoring faith in the UN and, of course, in a better future.
Excellencies, on this day, 15 June, the Magna Carta was sealed by England's King John.
Pioneering French painter Charles De La Fose was born.
Russia made history with its Venus Space probe.
Benjamin Franklin scientific discovery changed the course of the world.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established, and importantly, the G 77 was formed.
Every country brings their proud history to the United Nations.
That is our strength.
No Secretary-General succeeds alone.
The future of the UN depends on the collective commitment of member states and the dedication of its staff.
I am under no illusion about the difficulties ahead.
Yet I remain optimistic because I have seen what this organization can achieve and the hope it continues to inspire.
Muches thank you very much and I look forward to continuing the conversation with you.
Thank you.
I thank miss Espinoza.
We now proceed to the first segment.
Delegations wishing to speak in the first segment are invited to press the microphone button now.
Members are reminded that they are encouraged to ask short and focused questions.
Intervention should be not more than 2 minutes for delegations speaking in national capacity and not more than 3 minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of member states.
Time limits will be strictly enforced by automatic microphone cutoffs.
Timer will be projected on screen.
To assist speakers to observe the time limit, their microphone will start blinking 30 seconds before the time limit lapses.
As indicated in my letter, after each intervention, the candidate will be given the floor to respond.
The response should not be more than 2 minutes for questions from delegations speaking in national capacity and not more than 3 minutes from delegations speaking on behalf of a group of member states.
I will remind candidates, I will remind you, miss Espinosa, of their time limits.
Civil society questions will be interspersed with questions from member states.
As mentioned before, we will now focus on leadership abilities, experience, and skills needed to lead a strong organization that is fit for the future.
As the first speaker, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malawi on behalf of the African group, followed by the European Union and the Solomon Islands.
Thank you very much, PTA.
First question, I'm asking these questions on behalf of the Africa group.
Africa's exclusion from permanent membership of the Security Council reflects both a historical injustice and an ongoing structural inequity affecting decisions on issues central to the continent.
What is your position on the Common Africa position and how would you use the convening authority of the Office to advance intergovernmental negotiations, commitment to security council reform, and African permanent membership with all prerogatives and privileges.
Second, second that the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of the international peace and security.
Security Council Resolution 27 19 created a framework for EU led peace support operations authorized by the Security Council to access assisted contributions from the UN regular budget to ensure equitable, predictable, sustainable financing for AOPece and security officers, yet implementation has stalled.
How would you approach the third year review and what are the options you intend to propose to ensure an appropriate operationalization of this resolution that will serve the purpose of guaranteeing sustainable financial support to AUD PSOs instead of shifting the burden to the African Union? Third, what concrete actions would you take to advance the reform of the international financial architecture, including improving African representation in international financial institutions? Fourth, how would you ensure that climate finance mechanisms, including the loss and damage fund, are accessible to African countries and adequately resourced? Fifth, considering the organization's liquidity constraints, how would you safeguard development mandates and ensure sufficient funding for Africa focused programs.
Sixth, Africans remain under represented at senior levels.
What targets would you set and what accountability mechanisms would you advise to ensure progress at P five level and above? In my national capacity, I would like to ask what would you do to ensure that all countries in the world ensure prosperity enshrined in the UN charter.
I thank you, Madam Espinoza.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Malawi on behalf of the African group.
Please, Espinoza.
Thank you, Madam Ambassador, for your questions on behalf of the African Union.
Regarding the reform of the Security Council, we all know, especially in this house, that there is an ongoing process for several decades now entrusted to advance the reform of the Security Council.
It is also a mandate enshrined in the pact of the future.
The Secretary-General role is to ensure that it provides impartial support and Secretariat support to make sure that the process advances and that the Security Council improves its impact, its working methods, and how they tackle their main responsibility, which is to preserve peace and security and to prevent conflict.
Regarding resolution 27 19, the role of the African Union in African countries in peacekeeping is well known, is one of the backbones of the operation and deployment of the peacekeeping operations of this house.
I would put behind my good offices to ensure that the resolution is fully implemented and that the burden doesn't fall into the hands of the African Union.
I think it is good for the effectiveness and impact of peacekeeping operation and is good also for burden sharing into this task.
And the reform of international financial institutions.
As mentioned in my speech, the United Nations has an irreplaceable convening role.
The United Nations has the responsibility to implement the CevidA commitment and the CevidA platform for action.
I will ensure that reform of the financial architectures, discussions take place in this house and that we provide what we are good at providing.
Information, advice, opinion, and political traction and legitimacy.
On climate finance, you are so right.
The climate finance architecture is convoluted, poses serious difficulties for access.
Not only it is insufficient, but the due diligence and the process to access the funds, I have firsthand experience, need to be rethought, need to be refurbished, it needs to be facilitated for all countries to have access, especially the making operation loss and damage fund.
The issue of representation of staff in the UN system.
I'm already working with my team looking at what are the regions and countries that are underrepresented.
This would be priority number one when I put together my own team and I look at how to configurate the whole UN system.
This organization should be the mirror of the societies and the countries that we work for.
A diversity, geographical representation, and equity would be the principles that guide the configuration of the staff of the UN.
I thank miss Espinosa.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states, followed by the Solomon Islands and Uruguay.
Thank you, Madam President and thank you, miss Espinosa for being here with us today.
At this critical juncture, the next Secretary-General must build trust, reduce polarization, bridge divides, accelerate UN reforms, and deliver solutions that make a real difference in people's lives on the ground.
He or she must also be fully prepared to defend and promote, full respect for the UN charter and international law and all three UN pillars equally.
The EU support to the UN reflects precisely that premise.
On peace and security, we actively advance the implementation of key UN mandates through our security and defense missions around the world.
On sustainable development, we are committed to safeguarding the SDGs and battling inequality, also by providing close to 50% of all official development assistance and over one third of all voluntary contributions to the UN system.
On human rights, we are committed to protecting and defending all human rights, civil and political, economic, social and cultural with equal vigor.
We are therefore deeply concerned with recent normative attacks on human rights, including women's and girls' full enjoyment of human rights and on gender equality.
As well as racial, religious, political, and other forms of discrimination and persecution.
We also note that remarkably, only 1% of the UN system spending is dedicated to human rights mandates in a glaring imbalance between the three UN pillars.
Against this backdrop, we wish to ask the following questions.
Would you agree that the promotion and protection of all human rights with individuals as rights holders is indispensable both in their own right and to achieve peace and security and sustainable development as well? From your knowledge and experience.
Can you offer a concrete example where the protection of human rights has boosted sustainable development or peace and security or where the violation of human rights has regressed sustainable development or peace and security.
Finally, as Secretary-General, how do you plan to protect and increase the funding of the Human Rights Pillar as explicitly mandated in the Pact for the future? Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states.
Please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ambassador.
This is a very pertinent question because human rights is indeed the third pillar of the work of this organization.
It is enshrined in the charter.
It is a mandate that we have as an organization.
You asked about a good example where peace can foster human rights and vice versa.
My first comment is that we need in this house to look at the three pillars of the charter as mutually reinforcing from a holistic approach, we know that there is no peace without development and there is no development without human rights and peace.
They are closely interconnected and closely interdependent.
About the question, I was thinking, for example, during the first phase of the peace process in Colombia, in the immediate dividend of peace in Colombia was the inclusion of a former armed groups into development, into even politics, into political participation.
The inclusion of the people that were in arms had a tremendous impact not only in establishing peace, but in improving social cohesion.
This is a very specific example just next door from our country and that I know from I know closely.
I Your question about the issue of the budget on human rights.
Some say it is 1%.
I have been looking at the numbers, it's a little more, but what is obvious that is really not enough.
What I can tell you is that, first of all, As Secretary-General, my responsibility is to ensure that every action, every agency, every program, every country teams team deliver on human rights.
Human rights and human dignity is at the center of everything we do.
The work of the UN should be a work that cares about human dignity and we human beings are at the center.
That is a direct responsibility of the Secretariat.
Regarding the overall budget of the organization.
I also believe looking at the structure at the apparatus on human rights, I was ambassador in Geneva, I was ambassador here.
The tension, the overlaps, the duplication of the work is something that I will be ready and at your disposal to look at how we can improve the structure, improve the way we deliver, and improve the impact we have.
Again, as I mentioned, the work of the organization is to place human dignity at the center.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Solomon Islands on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam Espinosa, I have the honor to address you today on behalf of the members of the Pacific Islands Forum represented with the presence in New York.
We thank the President of the General Assembly for this valuable opportunity to engage directly with all candidates for the Secretary-General.
The Pacific region faces many challenges, some shared by members across this assembly, others unique to our region.
In confronting these challenges, we draw on our strengths, including our commitment to working together through the Pacific Islands Forum to deliver for our people.
But no challenge is more pressing than climate change, which will disproportionately imperil the lives, livelihoods, security, and well being of specific people.
Secretary-General Guterres visit to our region helped him to appreciate the gravity of this threat and to mobilize international attention.
It also allowed him to appreciate the region's leadership and to hear firsthand from our communities on the work they are doing to bolster resilience.
During his 2024 visit to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum, the Secretary-General described the Pacific region as and I quote, a beacon of solidarity and strength, environmental stewardship and peace.
The Pacific and the UN have a long history of collaboration, and we want to ensure that this partnership continues and is prioritized under UN's new leadership.
We have two questions.
First, how would you use the Office of the Secretary-General to draw attention and mobilize action to address the unique vulnerabilities of small island developing states, including specific seeds, in particular, the impacts of climate change.
Second, the UN is often pulled towards crisis that dominate headlines while other realities unfold more slowly with irreversible consequences.
How will you balance urgent conflicts with the impacts of climate change? What criteria will guide your decisions on where attention and political capital will be directed? Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Solomon Islands on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you.
Thank you to the Pacific Island Forum.
Thank you, Excellency.
You said it so well.
Climate change is existential for small island developing states.
A climate shocks, I have seen it firsthand, can destroy livelihoods, entire GDP in 24 hours after a hurricane, after a big flood.
This is not distant from me.
What you're asking is we need to speed up climate action.
We need to meet the commitments that we have already made.
When I communicate to the outside world and I receive questions, you have already met for 30 times.
We are soon approaching cop 31, and yet emissions continue to grow.
This is a huge debt of humanity.
It is also a debt of corresponsibility and solidarity with small island developing states.
As Secretary-General, I will be reassured that I will be a great advocate, a great supporter, I will keep the climate agenda as one of the priorities.
In concrete terms, I believe that the multidimensional a vulnerability index is going to help countries like the seeds but other vulnerable countries for a speedy access to climate funds.
In what you said, we focus on urgent conflicts, and we do not focus on the climate shocks that countries are experiencing.
I have to say that in terms of urgency and emergency, climate change is here.
Climate change is affecting our horizonts and commitments to development is expanding inequalities, is destroying our infrastructure, is threatening our energy security as we speak.
This is of utmost priority.
You will count on me as your big advocate, and I will bring my 15 years of experience as a climate negotiator to the House.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Singish representative of Urey on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, followed by the First Civil Society Organization and Singapore.
Thank you, Madam President.
We thank you for convening this meeting and it's a pleasure to see miss Espinoza present her position and we'll now read our questions in English for the Group of 77 and China.
The Group of T 77 and China attach a great importance to the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and reaffirm the need to ensure that this process remain open, transparent, and inclusive in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolution.
Here the question.
One, with reference to the UNAT initiative introduced by the Secretary-General António Gutierrez, what is your assessment of the proposal and how do you believe it could advance a United Nations that is more effective, efficient, and deliver greater impact on the ground? How would you ensure that any related reform fully respect the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations, preserve the balance among its three pillars and do not come at expenses of the development mandate or priorities of developing countries? Question number two, with the 2030 deadline fast approaching, How would you ensure the full and timely implementation of the agenda for sustainable development? Being in mind the universality and the visibility of the goal and target, the principle of common, but differentiated responsibilities, and the commitment to leave no one behind.
Specifically, how do you envisage the role of the Secretary-General and the United States Secretariat in advancing this objective? Question number three.
If you were appointed as Secretary-General, how would you ensure equal and fair distribution based on gender and geopolitical balance and prescribe the Article 101 of the charter and the relevant General Assembly resolution, particularly in terms of the overall increase in the representation of underreed and underrepresented countries, especially from development countries at the senior level appointment within the UN secretarian and broader UN system.
Question number four.
At the time of the shrinking fiscal space, declining ODA, rising debt burdens, widen development gaps, how would you as Secretary-General mobilize the United Nations system to defend and advance the development pillar, accelerate implementation of the 2030 agenda and support the finances for development in manner fully responsive to the priorities of developing countries.
In light of the organization persistent liquidity crisis, including warning of the potential risk to bankruptcy, what concrete measure would you as Secretary-General undertake to promote compliance on the member state financial obligation, ensure that the assessed contributions are paid in full on time and without conditions.
As a final reflection, thank you.
Thank you.
Miss Espinosa.
Well, I had difficulties just writing down also, but thank you to the G 77.
I have to say, I feel extremely proud to have chaired the group myself and my country.
I think that the questions are very pertinent.
To the point, UN 80 and the assessment of the process, I have followed closely the discussions on the implementation of the UN 80 reform, the three pillars.
I would say in a shorthand, I think that a the whole reform has to be deeply consulted and in the hands of member states.
I am very pleased to see, for example, the advancement of pillar two, the review process of the mandate review process in the hands of two variable co chairs.
I have seen already progress in pillar one.
In rationalization.
I would call it an inevitable pillar because we are facing a liquidity challenge in the house.
On the third pillar, which is more structural, I am also observing the exchanges.
I will take the temperature, consult with member states.
In some of the consultations I have made, some member states think that the third pillar should also be a subject to an intergovernmental process.
But what you can expect from me that I will closely consult with member states advanced implementation of the UN AT reform process because it is important to have an organization that is leanar, that is more impact driven, and that is more modern and respond to the needs of the people of today.
On the SDGs, the SDGs are a the right ambition, the right direction of travel.
What we have seen, unfortunately, I don't need to tell this house, there is a problem if after all these years since 2015, we are able to have 18% of the goals on track.
There is a lot of G in the SDGs, but very, very little development.
I think that we need, first of all, to accelerate pace in what we can implement realistically, and I am ready to work side by side you to think in a realistic yet with great vision on what could be a framework that doesn't need to start January 1st, 2030 31, but needs to start now.
Development, as I mentioned, cannot be a design in New York.
It has to be own locally.
It has to respect the sovereignty of states and the responsibility of this House and of the Secretary-General is to ensure that countries have three things, which are the enablers.
Money and that goes through the reform of the international financial architecture.
In the second phase, I hope I will be able to expand on what are the issues that are important as we reform the international financial architecture and the role of the UN on this.
They need an energy and technology transition, and they need the institutional capacity.
You can count on me to think through this new phase of development, this new framework of development, and accelerate pace as we implement the SDG framework for 2030.
The issue of representation of staff.
I run out of time.
Representation of staff and the financial crisis of the UN, I promise I will peek in the other questions and the second part of this dialogue, I promise I will respond because there are two very important aspects for this dialogue and for the UN, of course.
Thank you, and there will be many more and also for the other question.
Thank you very much.
I now invite the assembly to view a prerecorded video by Sptimist, the first Civil Society organization.
Dear Excellencies, dear colleagues.
If a permanent member of the Security Council withholds assess contributions as a political instrument, what specific tools within your authority as Secretary-General would you deploy? Thank you.
Sort and sharp.
Miss Espinosa.
Well, thank you to the question of so Optimist International, and it feeds very well to the question asked already by the G 77.
We know and you know better than I do that the organization is undergoing a liquidity crisis.
There is a lack of cash in the house.
I mentioned in my opening speech that it is not because the world lacks resources, there is plenty of money out there.
I think there has to be harmony between the political decision of the UN to reform, to improve the way it delivers, to be lear, to be impact oriented, to be more transparent and more accountable, and at the same time, having the strength, the power, the traction, and the legitimacy.
Here I'm speaking about the role of the Secretary-General to put all her good offices to make sure that countries pay in full and on time.
This is absolutely important.
I have been looking at the numbers, at the countries that unfortunately have not honored their financial responsibilities, and I think that renewed leadership can help push the envelope on that.
Of course, a The number one task and responsibility, I will assume as your Secretary-General, is to ensure that we have a balanced, sustainable, and predictable budget.
This is absolutely imperative for the well functioning of the house.
I think it's an issue of co responsibility of mutual commitment, and also to ensure that countries that are contributing to the UN can see value for money.
That would be my response and thank you again.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore on behalf of the small states group, followed by the Republic of Korea and Myanmar in Poland.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
I have the honor indeed to deliver this statement on behalf of the small states group, SSG, which is a cross regional grouping of small states comprising both developed and developing countries.
The list of countries that are aligned with the statement will be made available after this meeting.
Madam President, we are living in a volatile and dangerous period in international relations characterized by geopolitical tension and conflict.
For small states, an effective multilateral system founded on the principles of the UN Charter and international law is not an option but an existential necessity.
The next Secretary-General will play a critical role not only in defending the UN charter, but also in reinvigorating and reshaping the role and relevance of the United Nations.
Look to the Secretary-General to safeguard the interests of all member states, especially the interests of the smallest, weakest, and most vulnerable members of the UN.
We do not want a world of might is right where international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of small states are violated with impunity.
The members of the SSG stand ready to work with the next Secretary-General and with all member states to strengthen the role of the UN and to defend international law and multilateralism.
In the interest of brevity, I'll go directly to the question.
First, what steps will you take to strengthen the role of the General Assembly, especially at a time when the Security Council has been unable to take decisive action.
Related to this, how will you support and strengthen the office of the president of the General Assembly? Secondly, the SDGs and the Pact for the future are landmark outcome documents.
They provide a roadmap for global action and partnership.
How will you accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and the Pact for the future? A third and last question, we are at a critical moment when public perception of the United Nations seems to have become critical and even cynical in many countries.
How do you plan to galvanize support for the work of the UN, especially among younger people who represent the future in all our societies? Thank you very much.
I thank the distinguished representative of Singapore on behalf of the small states group, please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you.
Thank you, ambassador and thank you to the small states group.
You mentioned that for the group, the importance of the UN is existential.
I agree.
I think the importance of the UN is existential and universal.
And I have to say perhaps a comment.
I have observed the work of the small states group.
What I see is that creativity, commitment to multilateralism, constructive engagement is what we can expect from your group and that speaks volumes about the importance of contributions of small states.
I mentioned that also in my speech.
It also means that greatness is not measured in square kilometers.
I fully believe that coming from the country come from.
In your question is about how to strengthen the General Assembly, Madam President.
In here, you touch on something that is very dear to me.
Not only I was the President of the General Assembly and I understand that the office of the President of the General Assembly needs to be strengthened.
A greater institutional memory, a greater capacity of a greater consideration of the stature of the office and the needs that the office has to deliver its mandate.
I also recall when I was ambassador in New York, I was the co facilitator of the revitalization process.
I'm very well informed.
I understand that the role of the General Assembly is absolutely vital.
The General Assembly, I see it as this h Parliament of Nations with a great responsibility, the muscle of legitimacy and representation of this house.
You can count on me to provide all the Secretariat support to ensure that we serve the office of the president and all the needs of the General Assembly.
In terms of implementation of the Pact of the future and the SDGs, I mentioned already how important it is the Pact of the future was agreed by this House.
It is a comprehensive roadmap for reform.
I will work tirelessly to make sure that the review of the Pact of the future in 2028 takes place not only as a bureaucratic moment, but really look at how much we have advanced in implementation.
SDGs, I mentioned already how important it is not only to speed up and fast track implementation until 2030, but start to design a post 2030 framework not in 2030 but now and hand in hand with all of you.
The issue of public perception My time is over and I promise I will come back to the need to rethink how the UN communicates, engages, and translates the work it does to the people we are called to serve, how we connect with the peoples in the work we do.
Thank you, Ambassador.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea, also speaking on behalf of Egypt, Myanmar, Norway, and Peru, followed by Poland and Luxebourg.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Madam Espinoza for joining us today.
I have the honor to deliver these questions on behalf of Egypt, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, and Dpublic Korea, member states whose nationals have served as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Drawing on our experience and institutional memory, we wish to contribute constructively to the current selection process and standy to support the both process IP itself and the next Secretary-General.
The responsibilities entrusted to Secretary-General under the charter.
Are profound while the charter designated the Secretary-General as the chief administrative officer of the organization.
It also assigned the office an independent political role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
As the complex continues to unfold across the globe and of course poly pom grow ever stronger, the United Nations require a Secretary-General who can successfully navigate both political and managerial dimension of the role.
Equal plus diplomat, an advocate, civil servant, and CEO.
The countries whose nationals have served as Secretary-General, our questions are first.
The office of the Secretary-General P requires typical judgment between principle and pragmatism, probably advocacy and quiet diplomacy, action, and restraint.
Can you please share how your professional experience have prepared you in making such decisions and what guiding principles would you improve your leadership as Secretary-General? Second, looking at on the job experience of previous Secretary-General, what lessons do you believe remain most relevant for the next Secretary-General? And in my national capacity, I'd like to add one more question.
At a time when the international community's attention is increasingly pulled in multiple directions, how can the UN ensure that long standing challenges to peace and security, including those on the Korean Peninsula, received the sustained and consistent engagement they demand.
Thank you.
Thanks to Distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea on behalf of a group of states, please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you.
Thank you, Excellency, and to the group of countries that you represent in your questions.
Your question about what is the experience that I will bring to the position in I feel a little hesitant to speak about what I bring.
But what I bring here is my experience as foreign minister, as Minister of Defense, as president of this house, I would call an experience of 360 degrees of all the three pillars of the organization as a negotiator, as a mediator, and as coming a has been an insider outsider, but with a strong conviction that the UN is irreplaceable and that we can do better and we can do better together.
The lessons, I have to say that each one of the Secretary-General, they operate in a very particular geopolitical context.
They all bring their um leadership style and personality.
I can only say that you have experience being the ambassador of Korea, what good leadership can bring to the house.
What are the lessons learned? The lessons learned, I would say, in my experience as PGA rule number one, an open door policy, to be able to speak to every member state, to be available 247, to be seen because a trust is not declared, it's earned, to be seen as an impartial owners broker.
I will be impartial to member states, but I will be partial to one thing.
Partial to uphold the charter and to uphold international law.
Regarding your question on the Korean Peninsula.
This is a conflict that is there.
It doesn't make headlines sometimes, but it's absolutely important that this house engages in every effort that is geared towards peacemaking and stability in a very important region as the Korean Peninsula.
Thank you, Excellency.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Sniorspative of Poland on behalf of the Lublin Triangle Group.
Thank you, Madam President.
I delivered this statement on behalf of the Lublin triangle, Lithuania, Ukraine, and my country Poland.
Madam Espinoza, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has produced documented patterns of atrocity crimes, including deportation of children, attacks on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage, just last night and arbitrary detention.
In this context, existing UN mechanisms have proven unable to compel accountability.
This is why that we need a leadership for accountability, and we believe it might come from the new Secretary-General.
That come my questions.
First, What is your vision for strengthening coordination between the Security Council, I, the ICC, the General Assembly, and fact finding mechanisms to ensure that impunity does not become a default outcome? Secondly, from your experience, how should the new Secretary-General strengthen cooperation with existing national investigative mechanisms to support the impartial documentation, preservation, and verification of evidence of war crimes, and other serious violations committed by Russia and Ukraine while ensuring consistent UN system wide reporting and response, including efforts to advance accountability for crime of aggression? And as a leader, what concrete role should the Secretary-General good offices play in ensuring the implementation of General Assembly mandates, such as the resolution return of the Ukrainian children from December 2025 and advancing accountability when a permanent member of the Security Council is alleged perpetrator.
Thank you, Madam.
Thank you.
Please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you for the question to the Lublin Triangle Group.
I strongly believe that the United Nations must continue to support, of course, international law, the UN Charter, the independent work of the mechanisms established by member states.
But the Security Council has a responsibility to uphold the principles on which the organization was founded, including, as mentioned, the respect for international law and accountability for violations when competent institutions determine that they have occurred.
At the same time, the Secretary-General, you mentioned what is the role of the Secretary-General, has a unique responsibility to maintain constant channels of dialogue, exercise good offices, support every credible effort to reduce suffering in advanced peace.
My approach as Secretary-General therefore would be guided by three principles, the respect of international law, the support for accountability mechanisms established by member states in an unwavering commitment to dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
I believe that the United Nations must continue to work towards that.
I'm fully committed to renew and revamp the role of the Secretary-General as a peacemaker as an advocate for peace.
Thank you.
Before giving the floor to the next speaker, I would like to remind speakers that I know the microphone cutoff is hard, but we still need to translate the questions and comments, please also have that in mind when asking your questions.
As the next speaker, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the Blax countries, followed by the next civil society organization.
Thank you very much, Madam President and I thank miss Espinoza for sharing her vision with us today.
I indeed speak on behalf of the Benox longstanding regional partnership comprising Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and my own country, Luxembourg.
We subscribe to the statement of the European Union.
We consider that the UN needs, above all, the Secretary-General with proven leadership and reform credentials capable of guiding a complex organization in a time of geopolitical tension and financial pressure.
We attach particular importance to a Secretary-General who can strengthen trust in multilateralism and the international legal order who can act as a strong convening power across all three pillars and who can proactively contribute to prevention, peace building, and mediation.
At the same time, we see a need to strengthen the UN's financial sustainability, accountability, and system wide coherence and we place high value on leadership that can connect the UN's development work with broader efforts on peace, security, and human rights, particularly in times of systematic stress.
Misses Espinosa, we have two questions.
First, drawing on your proposal to establish a prevention and early action hub reporting directly to your office.
How would you ensure that the UN plays a more integrated role across the three pillars? Specifically, how would you operationalize this hub so that early warning, political engagement and UN country team support are better aligned and the organization can act earlier and more coherently to prevent conflict and sustain peace.
And secondly, could you share your thinking on the composition of your senior leadership team, including the Deputy Secretary-General? How would you approach considerations such as regional balance, gender, and the specific qualities needed to support your priorities if selected as Secretary-General? I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Luxemburg on behalf of the Benelux countries, please, miss Espinoza.
Well, thank you for the question, Excellency, and to the Beneluks group.
I really thank you for having read the vision statement that I put forward in my proposal to establish prevention and an early action hub.
I use deliberately the word hub because a I really don't want to give the impression that it's going to be a superstructure of more bureaucracy.
It's going to be drawing in the knowledge and wisdom of the house and it is intended to be a 247 task force that would use the analytical capacity, the prospective capacity of the house, the ability to identify red flags and early warning to inform and advise the Secretary-General on time so she can act and respond early.
When she acts and respond early, obviously it's for the Secretary-General to immediately, immediately advise and inform member states, in particular, the members of the Security Council, but also to exercise and respond immediately and on time with shuttle diplomacy.
I am a big believer of shuttle diplomacy, of being their foot on the ground before crises occur and crisis become catastrophes with no return.
This is going to be an installed capacity in my office with the existing resources, but operating in emergency mode 247.
I think the world of today really needs that.
Your second question was regarding the issue of how to bring together the three pillars.
The delivering as one, When I was ambassador here, it was the moment of the one UN and delivering as one.
But I think we need to do more work on that.
We need more consistency, more coherence, a culture of cooperation within the UN system.
We need the right incentives to evaluate the effectiveness of our work on not how much a particular agency has fundraised or the head of such agency and country team has appeared in the newspaper of the day.
I have also experienced on that is how many lives we have saved.
How many children we have protected, how much we have helped a country to strengthen their planning capacity.
These are the right incentives to really delivering as one.
For that, we need to change something that is very difficult but not impossible.
Having reformed the armed forces of my country, I can tell you, which is the institutional culture.
When I have time, I would like to share some of my thinking about how to deal with accountability and better monitoring and evaluation for the house because I run out of time.
But excellent questions.
Thank you to Benelux.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the next civil society organization, Medical Impact.
Please, you have the floor.
Chair miss Espinosa Excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues.
My name is Armando Co from Mexico and I have been following global policy from the very frontlines we work with medical impact, helping connect the boille to this space of decision making.
In this context, informal consultation of the negotiation of the United Nations political Declaration and ministerial declarations are formally limited to the participation of member states, resulting in the structural exclusion of civil society voices from these processes.
Miss Espinosa, if elected Secretary-General, what measures would you propose to ensure that civil society organizations with consultative status are able to meaningfully contribute to such informal consultations while preserving the intergovernmental nature of the negotiations.
Thank you, please.
Thank you very much for that question.
I think I see the role of civil society as fundamental to the work of the organization.
Civil society not only with the responsibility to do oversight, to monitor and ensure that the UN implements its commitments, and the Secretariat has also to be accountable to the people it serves.
So in terms of monitoring and oversight, but also a wealth of intellect, of firsthand experience, of contributing to the substance, advising the work of the organization, as you said very well, preserving the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations.
So a welcome for the interest.
I think civil society has also a very important role to play in responding to the question of force of the small island states forum.
In translating the work of the UN to civil society.
You have to be ambassadors and interpreters of the work of the organization to the outside world and the communities you work with.
Absolutely important.
I have seen the enormous constructive role of civil society, for example, in the process of the negotiation of the Pact of the future, following the negotiations on climate, the role, the voice of civil society has always been extremely important and it will continue to be.
Of course, intergovernmental negotiations and the role each government provides to civil society is in the hands of member states.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, followed by St.
Kitts and Neves and Andorra.
Madam President, thank you for convening this important dialogue and I thank Madam Espinosa for your interaction with us today.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the 39 members of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOS.
As a group of countries in special situations, the credibility of the United Nations lies in its ability to respond to the unique circumstances of states, correct longstanding inequities, and deliver results for the most vulnerable.
In this regard, allow me to post the following questions.
First, how will you as Secretary-General, ensure that the United Nations is more accessible, better coordinated, and tailored to the unique vulnerabilities of SITS to better and more meaningfully support the full implementation of the Antigua and Barbada agenda for SITS.
Second, how will you use your leadership to accelerate global ambition and action on climate change, particularly to keep 1.5 within reach and while ensuring that CTs receive scaled up, predictable and accessible finance for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage in line with international commitments.
Finally, what specific measures will you take to improve under representation of SITS within the United Nations Secretariat, especially at senior leadership levels, and how will you strengthen the pathways for CTS nationals to shape decision making across the United Nations? Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, please.
Thank you.
Thank you to Palau for the questions on behalf of the seeds.
I B, how would I support the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda? I think that considering the country that has nominated me, which is Antiga and Barbuda, my full commitment to champion the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda, of course, I fully understand what are the challenges of small island developing states, its particular vulnerabilities in terms of climate, in terms of access to finance, if the financial architecture needs to be reformed is precisely because of the particular needs you have to access resources that are concessional that take into account the different vulnerabilities, to reduce the due diligence processes, to redefine the obstacles of how risk is perceived So I fully understand.
Even though the Galapagos Islands are not an independent country because they belong to Ecuador, my country, I was the president of the governing council of the Galapagos Islands and I understand exactly what is the challenge between conservation, development, climate resilience, access to affordable finance, debt service, and here I want to say that debt restructuring is something that is of utmost importance not only for seeds, but for developing countries, for middle income countries, absolutely vital.
Even though the UN cannot do it by itself, the Secretary-General and this house, they are called to provide the platform to provide the intelligence, the data, the political traction, and the legitimacy to bring the conversation to this house.
As per climate finance, I have also seen how scatters, how complicated the architecture of climate finance has become.
What I can say is that we need to rebalance investment in adaptation that receive very little money the most of the investment goes to mitigation and we need, as mentioned before, to make the loss and damage fund fully operational and accessible for countries with special vulnerabilities, particularly to the small island developing states.
On representation of staff, I mentioned that I am already looking at countries that are underrepresented and that can be fixed.
It's, of course, a management decision, and I'm fully committed to make sure that the staff of the UN reflects the diversity of the world that we serve.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of St.
Kitts An Neves on behalf of the Caribbean community, followed by Andorra.
Thank you, Madam President.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the 14 member states of the Caribbean community, Caricum.
At the outset, Caricum congratulates miss Espinosa on her nomination to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Caricum acknowledges your experience in the international system and commends your willingness to offer yourself in service to the international community at this important juncture.
Caricom also thanks you for the presentation of your vision for your anticipated tenure as the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Miss Espinosa, Caricom has four questions that it would like to ask you.
First, with reference to the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for small Island developing states, the ABAS, and the need to ensure adequate follow up and implementation for this plan, alongside the development of the post 2030 agenda, what are your perspectives on the role of the UN Secretary-General in maintaining focused, systematic support for the ABAS? Second, Caricm is of the view that the United Nations is the most represented most representative multilateral forum, and that the Secretariat should reflect the diversity of the organization in an equitable manner.
What are your plans to target nationals from unrepresented and underrepresented countries to access more opportunities to increase their representation, especially at professional and higher levels in the Secretariat? Third, with the recent adoption of the Pact of the Future, member states made commitments to strengthen multilateralism and accelerate the implementation of the sustainable development goals, while taking into account the needs and interests of future generations.
The Declaration of the future generations specifically marked an important normative achievement as it encouraged longer term decision making, including through the use of foresight, anticipatory planning, data and science to allow for better decisions to be made not only for the present generation, but for those who will follow us.
As Secretary-General, how will you ensure that future generations considerations are integrated across the UN system and how do you see this agenda moving forward in practice? And finally, could you elaborate on any specific plans you have to further strengthen the collaboration between the Office of the Secretary-General and the Security Council for conflict prevention and resolution? Thank you, Madam President.
I thank the senior representative of San Kits and Neves on behalf of Caricm please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you to San Kit and Neves and to the Car com regarding the implementation of Abs, of course, that is front and center of the priorities of the house and it will be the same in my office as mentioned before.
It of course is a vital importance.
We already mentioned the special needs, the vulnerabilities, but also the very important contribution of small island developing states in general and the Car com to a strong multilateral system that delivers.
In terms of diversity representation in the UN system, I mentioned that and I will repeat.
I'm already looking at the map, at the presence of every country of the system in the staff.
I mentioned that it will be a priority to make sure that this organization reflects every region and the diversity of its membership at all levels of leadership.
Regarding the Pact of the future, thank you for mentioning the Declaration of Future Generations.
I would confess that in the package of the Pact of the Future, the Digital compact and this declaration, I think the declaration should be more than rhetoric.
It really requires, as you mentioned very well, to improve the ability and the capacity of this house for foresight, anticipatory, planning and commitments and policy.
But it really means that we have to think the way we imagine development, we look at the future, we look at peace from the lens and not only of today and the immediate future.
But from a cross generational perspective, that requires a building technical capacity that I'm sure the House already has it requires that we work together to understand an issue of responsibility with future generations.
I thank you for bringing that to the table because it is of extreme importance and relevance, especially when we think, for example, about environmental integrity, the crisis of pollution, the future that we're going to leave future generations.
It is a very important matter.
Thank you again to carry Km over.
Your question is not that I forgot, but my time is up right now.
I will use the incoming questions now to address your question about the coordination of the Office of the Secretary-General with the Security Council.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Andorra on behalf of the group of La Franco Fi ambassadors, followed by Saudi Arabia.
On behalf of the group of Francophone ambassadors, I would like to commend, Madam President, the convening of this interactive dialogue, I'd like to thank you, miss Espinosa, for setting out your strategic vision at a time when the United Nations must tackle systemic crisis as well as growing fragmentation we're witnessing in the international order.
It seems that multilingualism is not a secondary issue, it's a strategic lever which can be used to bolster the legitimacy, effectiveness, and credibility of the multilateral system.
As well as its inclusivity.
We'd like to hear your personal position and your capacity to respond to this challenge at various levels.
We have four questions in fact.
Could you clarify your relationship to the your working languages, in particular, French, as well as the place that multilingualism holds in your employment history.
Second, As an SG, how would you use multilingualism to structure your mandate, not relegating it to simply a functional tool.
Three, how will you ensure that your leadership team reflects regional cultural and linguistic diversity, characteristic of the United Nations and last but not least, Regarding your responsibility for Secretariat governance, how do you plan to make changes to human resource management practices to ensure that linguistic competencies are fully recognized and made the most of in recruitment and career progression in keeping with the need for linguistic diversity in the Secretariat, I thank you.
Espinosa Thank you very much, Andorra.
Thank you for that question on the topic of multilingualism.
Your question on my relationship with the UN's working languages.
Well, first and foremost, I believe I speak Spanish rather well.
It is my mother tongue after all.
French is my second language.
I had the privilege of being educated in French, as you know, and English is a working language for me.
On top of that, I am staunchly convinced that the topic of multilingualism is not a secondary issue.
It is a central issue which is linked to the principle of sovereign equality of states.
What's more is multilingualism is a source of wealth, it enriches multilateral discussions, multilateral work.
Language is not just a way of expressing ourselves.
It also encapsulates diplomatic traditions, cultural diversity.
It is a source of enrichment for the multilateral system.
Thus, for me, this topic is going to be an overarching priority.
I am going to strive to ensure that this house, the United Nations remains a multilingual house, that the organization's working languages are respected.
Furthermore, I will endeavor to ensure that my team reflects this linguistic diversity and without a doubt, I will be working closely with the human resources department to ensure that linguistic skills are factored in at the recruitment stage and also later on when United Nations staff are assessed and evaluated.
Thank you so much for this question.
As you know, this issue is very close to my heart and it will be one of my priorities.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguish representative of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Arab Group.
I see.
Okay.
Allow me to thank you, Madam President, for holding this important meeting, which allows us to get familiarized with the vision of miss Espinoza SG candidate.
It is my honor to deliver the statement on behalf of the Arab Group.
The Arab Group stresses its readiness to work constructively with SG candidates, to enhance the role of the UN and its ability to address international challenges and to consolidate the principles of the charter and to achieve international peace and security and sustainable development.
The Arab group would like to pose the following questions.
First, in light, of the differences in implementing international law around the world.
How can we ensure consistency and non selectivity in addressing the different crises, to ensure the credibility of the multilateral system, and to ensure the equitable implementation of international standards? Second, what would be your role in enhancing the effectiveness of the UN and the complementarity of its role regarding the Palestinian question to ensure the consistent implementation of relevant resolutions and ensure the durable and just peace in the region? Third, Over the past few years, we've seen escalations and crises.
We've seen increasing challenges to respecting international law and the charter of the United Nations.
How can we enhance ways to comply with these principles, especially in the humanitarian field? How can we enhance the role of UN entities, especially URA? Fourth, regarding the current liquidity, crises, and declining funding available for humanitarian action and increasing debt burdens, how are you going to work on enhancing the role of the United Nations in consolidating the development agenda, the 2030 development agenda and respond to the financing needs of developing states.
Finally, how will you assess the goals of UN 80 initiative? How can it be implemented without adversely affecting the main mandates adopted by the United Nations? I thank you, Madam President.
Thank the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Arab group.
Many questions again, we see how many fit in the 3 minutes answering time.
I would like to also raise your attention that 1.5 hours have passed, so we've extorted the loaded time for the first segment.
While there is still interest for member states to speak on the first segment, in the interest of time, I invite delegation to proceed to the second segment as some of you have done already, speaking and focusing especially on the three pillars of the United Nations peace and security, development, and human rights.
As before, civil society questions will be interspersed with questions from member states.
Miss Espinosa, please.
Well, thank you to the Arab group and to you, Excellency, for your questions, your question about the issue of stability in the Middle East.
I think that the essential point there is that the UN must always keep political solutions alive, even in the most difficult moments.
I think that lasting peace requires, in the case of the Middle East, security for Israel as well as self determination and statehood for Palestine and of course, the protection of civilians in all sides.
You mentioned what is the role of the Secretary-General my response to that very important question is that I will support implementation of the two parallel tracks that we have in hand, both the General Assembly track supporting the implementation of the New York Declaration and the respective resolution of the September 2025, but also the Security Council track supporting the implementation of resolution 20 803.
I think that these two tracks must not compete.
They must reinforce each other.
In a Secretary-General, that should be my role that they converge and they work hand in hand.
You also ask the question about UNRWA in the I think that the role of international humanitarian law must be respected and upheld in all circumstances.
Humanitarian access, civilian protection, the safety of humanitarian personnel are illegal and moral obligations of this house.
Concretely on your question of ORA.
I think it's important to recall that a the mandate of UNRA does not come from the Secretary-General, it comes from member states through the General Assembly.
It's a subsidiary body of the General Assembly.
I am aware that last year, the General Assembly renewed ORAs mandate for an additional three years.
As Secretary-General, my role would be to ensure that the organization implements its mandate effectively, transparently, and independently.
And you also called for the need to have a Secretary-General that is impartial and independent.
That would be the case for this particular situation.
I'm about to run out of time.
You mentioned your questions about the shortage of funding for the humanitarian work of the UN.
Here, when you say humanitarian work, the first thing that come to mind is the hundreds of humanitarian workers that have lost their lives in the past months.
I cannot just go without saying my full solidarity with their families and sometimes behind a number of statistics, there is a human being and a family.
You would say, I run out of time to answer this question, but what we need to do I have read carefully the humanitarian reset scheme, the proposal of a humanitarian group.
And I hope I will have the time to express what are my views to both.
I think they're very good starting points.
I would also complete my answer regarding the liquidity crisis and implementation of the SDGs.
Thank you, Excellency, for your questions.
Thank you very much.
We have many more speakers on the list, so I would like to ask really to stick to the speaking times.
I know it's very short, but the rules of procedure are the same for all candidates.
I would like to give the floor now to the next speaker, the distinguished representative of Nepal on behalf of the least developed countries, followed by Austria and Estonia.
Thank you, Madam President.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the group of least developed countries, the countries that are recognized as the most structurally vulnerable and the furthest behind in achieving the sustainable development goals.
The LDC group thanks the distinguished ISI candidate for the presentation and kindly requests to share her observation on the following questions.
First, if elected as Secretary-General, what concrete steps will you take to reestablish the United Nations as the central forum for addressing global peace and security, development and financing issues, and how will you ensure that LDCs meaningfully remain at the table to save these decisions rather than remain on the margins.
Second, what will be your strategic approach to mobilize and direct adequate, predictable and conal resources to LDCs and how will you reorient the UN development system so that supporting LDCs to achieve the SDGs becomes a visible system wide priority at the country level? Third, in the face of ongoing financial constraints, how will you ensure that resources and dedicated support to LDCs, including to the LDC dedicated UN mechanisms are protected and strengthened rather than reduced and what specific measures will you put in place to ring fence this support from across the board courts? Fourth, as the UN faces unprecedented challenges from within and outside, what strategic approach will you undertake to reinvigorate the UN's development pillar, to deliver transformative system wide support for LDCs, ensuring that the promise of the UN charter translates into tangible, lasting progress for those for this behind.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal on behalf of the least developed countries, please, Mr.
Espinosk.
Thank you to Nepal and to the questions on behalf of the LDCs.
I think that the instrument that the LDCs have, which is the, the Doha agenda is of extreme relevance.
You mentioned, Excellency, that LDCs are the most vulnerable.
They are the ones that are in highest needs of resources.
I would agree with you.
Of course, the United Nations should serve all member states, but in particular, the countries that are most in need and the group of LDCs have particular vulnerabilities and the organization, the UN and the UN system need to respond to that in supporting the implementation of the Doha agenda.
You mentioned and access to concessional finance.
I think it falls very well into the discussions on the reform of international financial architecture, on the implementation of the Cevida commitment, on the need to think about fast tracking access an increase of fiscal space for countries in the LDC group, it translates into having a very particular assessment on what are the structural hurdles that LDCs face in achieving sustainable development goals.
When I say this is because I am convinced that the UN development apparatus should not be one size fits all, should be demand driven, should be able to deploy support in accordance to the principle of local first, national ownership, strengthening local capacities, and supporting with the structural hurdles as mentioned.
The structural hurdles are the means of implementation of the SDGs.
More in cheaper resources, technology transitions in technology and energy, and institutional capacity, you can count on me to champion the LDCs agenda to ensure, as mentioned before, that the three pillars work together and in consonants.
We are very good here in the House to put nice titles, one UN delivering as one, I think this should be made a reality with the right incentives, with the right governance architecture in place, and in consultation with member states.
You mentioned also to reenter and strengthen the role of the UN in peace and security.
I hope I will have the time to answer in more detail to that very important question.
Thank you again, Excellency, for your question.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria on behalf of the group of friends on the rule of law.
Thank you, Madam President.
I have the honor to deliver this question on behalf of over 50 cross regional members of the group Friends of the rule of law.
In recent years, we have witnessed breaches of even the most fundamental provisions of the UN Charter, including the obligation of all member states to refrain in their international relations from the threat or the use of force, as well as mass atrocities committed at large scale in grave breach of international law, all this paired with the failure of the council to take appropriate action in response.
The questions of the group of friends of the rule of law to you would be What concrete, proactive and preventive measures would you personally pursue if elected as Secretary-General to strengthen the rule of law and prevent breaches by member states of the charters principles and of international law? I know you have eluded, of course, in your vision statement on this and what specific preventive diplomacy initiatives would you launch or strengthen? I thank you.
I thank the Distinguished representative of Austria on behalf of the group of friends on the rule of law.
Thank you, Austria speaking on behalf of the group for the defense of the rule of law.
I think that the legitimacy and the credibility of multilateralism of this house and the system has a constitution and a backbone.
The constitution of the United Nations is called the UN Charter.
It is this house that produces international law and should be also capable to enforce international law.
You asked ambassador about concrete actions and the role of the Secretary-General.
I mentioned before and I will repeat this commitment and the commitment is to serve all member states impartially, independently, in to be accountable to you as well.
I also mentioned that I will be partial, partial to the charter and partial to international law.
The role that I see of the Secretary-General, it's a role of advocacy is a role of silent diplomacy of using back channel, of keeping the doors for engagement and dialogue constantly open be seen publicly as the person who represents the UN but also represents the principles enshrined in the UN charter.
I see someone mentioned and that's what the charter says, the Secretary-General should be the chief administrative officer.
I would add to that, it has to be also the implementation officer and the advocate for international law and the UN charter.
It has to be done, of course, publicly, but sometimes often also quietly using prudence and engagement to all member states.
You ask also excellency, the preventive diplomacy, what are the actions? I think that I to be where a risk in early warning, to be present, to be there, to be available.
I'm a full believer, as I mentioned, in shuttle diplomacy, in the physical presence of the Secretary-General where it matters.
Also, I believe, as I said before, in the power of quiet diplomacy in engagement with all parties, even in the most difficult circumstances.
I also believe in the persistence imperative.
These issues and I'm speaking with experience.
These issues are easy to say but very difficult to do.
When you say shuttle diplomacy, when you say foot on the ground and being present, engaging in opening channels and keeping channels of communication, these sometimes feel platitudes.
It is not an easy issue, but I believe in persistence.
I believe in not taking no for an answer.
And I believe in a Secretary-General that is not only present, that can also be silently working behind the scenes and always representing the United Nations, representing the values and principles of the charter and upholding the importance of international law.
It is the machinery we have for peaceful coexistence.
And I was told, Yes.
Please be sensitive to time.
I now give the floor to the next distinguished representative, the representative of Estonia, on behalf of the accountability, coherence, and transparency Group, followed by Barbados and the next civil society organization.
Thank you, President.
I would like indeed to pose two questions to Candidate Espinosa on behalf of accountability, coherence, and transparency group, c regional group comprised of 27 small and mid size countries committed to a transparent and accountable UN and seeking to improve the working methods of a security council first.
Act group has developed a code of conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes.
The Code of Conduct urges Security Council members to pledge against voting no on credible draft resolutions aimed at preventing or halting genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes, and encourages all council members to take timely decisive action during mass atrocities.
The code of conduct is supported by 130 member states.
How do you see the Secretary-General role in promoting the implementation of a code of conduct? And secondly, that troop has highlighted the importance of ensuring the application of Article 273 of the UN Charter, which includes the application when member states of the Security Council abstain from voting if they are party to a dispute.
I past years in particular, we have seen the non observance of this obligatory charter provision.
How can the Secretary-General contribute in increasing compliance of this article in particular and the UN Charter in general? Thank you.
I thank the Distinguished representative of Estonia on behalf of the Act group, please, Mr.
Espinosa.
Thank you to the question of Estonia on behalf of the Act group.
I think my response to that is that international law, the principles of the charter, and the decisions that are taken by member states in any of the principal organs of the UN should be complied with.
The role of the Secretary-General is to provide the necessary support for the implementation.
And when there is a tension or noncompliance, the role of the Secretary-General is to deploy good offices.
In my experience, most of the time, good offices and prudent and silent diplomacy works well.
But again, implementation compliance with decisions taken in all the principal organs of the United Nations is in the hands of member states.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Barbados on behalf of the UN AD Global Group.
Thank you, Madam President and thank you, miss Espinoza, for taking part in this important dialogue.
I have the honor to ask this solitary question on behalf of the UN AT Global Group, a cross regional group of countries.
What specifically, miss Espinosa, will you do to maintain and strengthen trust between the Secretariat and member states, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, and the rest of the system, as well as global confidence in the United Nations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguish Representative of Barbados on behalf of the UN AD Global Group.
Please miss Espinosa.
Well, thank you to Barbados.
I'm very pleased to see that there is a group of countries called the UNA global, cross regional group committed to advancing implementation of the UN 80 initiative.
The question you asked Excellency is absolutely vital for the UN.
How is that a Secretary-General can build trust between the Secretariat and member states, between the office of the Secretariat in member states and how to build trust between the work of the UN and the outside public? My first reaction to that is that trust cannot be declared, it has to be earned.
The way the UN is going to earn the trust of public opinion of the outside world, the peoples that we are called to serve is through impact, is through results, it's through really making sure that we are changing and improving the lives of people on the ground.
When people think about the UN, they think how many lives we have saved, how many people we have helped lift out of poverty, how many hungry people we have relieved, the deployment of the UN in places where nobody else is, the muscle that the UN has in its humanitarian infrastructure, In all the good things that the UN does every day, I would say, this is the best way in the other ways to communicate better what we do.
Someone was saying before I entered this room, please do not speak in acronyms, do not speak in UN language because it's difficult for the people that are watching us.
It is true and I've tried my best.
The way we communicate the way we present the work that the UN does, the way we are conscious and responsible for self criticism is part of all of that.
How to improve the trust between the Secretariat and member states, I will say open doors, constant engagement and communication.
Consultation on everything the Secretariat does, especially issues that are of concern that are connected to the interests and the views of member states.
The UN is an organization based on mandates.
Perhaps the most important mandate that a Secretary-General should have is to listen to member states constantly and sustainably.
No surprises from a Secretary-General if you decide to select me.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the next civil society organization.
I invite the assembly to view a prerecorded video by Bharat Maha Yuka Song, the Civil Society organization.
Good day, Honorable Secretary-General.
My name is uwati D Bsari.
I'm a 16-year-old youth leader and youth advocate from India.
I'm also the founder and president of Padma USN.
My question is, as the United Nations enters the UN 81 era, amidrizing conflicts, growing inequalities, and declining trust in multilateral institutions, what concrete actions would you take as a Secretary-General of the United Nations that UN reforms and delivers the real results? Specifically, how would you strengthen the conflict prevention and peace building, advance sustainable development, protect human rights, and to ensure a meaningful participation of youth and civil society while making the United Nations more transparent, more accountable, and representative of today's world.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the civil society organization, Bart Maha Yukon.
Please miss Espinosa.
Thank you to this youth representative from India.
I think that the conversation we were having before to these very pertinent questions are really in consonance a continuation.
Basically, the question said in face of rising conflicts, of inequalities, of the lack of trust in international institutions, what can we do? What I can say is what can we do? We have to deliver better.
We have to make sure that we respond to the needs of people on the ground, that we close the implementation gap.
The UN suffers from a chronic implementation gap.
Sometimes when people say Secretary-General, I would say, you know, as implementation, Secretary-General should be perhaps the right way to call it.
There was also a question on the issue of conflict prevention.
I have heard so many times the word prevention.
Prevention is the best investment.
It makes not only moral sense, it makes financial sense.
I think that the UN has not deployed in full its prevention capacity.
My idea of establishing this hub is because I have seen firsthand that we need a very strong device on prevention.
But the entire UN system should be geared towards ensuring that they deliver, they think, they plan, and they operate under the principles of prevention.
I think this is absolutely vital.
Dollar invested in prevention is worth $7 in response.
Response is costly.
Response sometimes sacrifices human lives.
Response is a very is a very expensive bill in all fronts.
That's why the full emphasis in prevention.
There was also a question about what to do with peacekeeping and peace building.
I'm sure I will hear some questions on the floor because this is absolutely vital as we think in a renewed peace and security architecture for the organization.
My time is up and I will use any other question to speak about the importance of the participation of youth and civil society in decision making.
I now give the floor to the distinguish representative of Canada on behalf of Cans, followed by Timor-Leste and Uganda.
Madam President, Excellencies, I have the honor to address you today on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
At a time of heightened global uncertainty and complex international challenges, the United Nations ability to fulfill its core mandate rests on its institutional credibility, capability and capacity.
Institutional credibility requires bold and principled leadership, including the ability to deploy the Secretary-General good offices with political courage and effect.
Institutional capability requires a UN that is focused on upholding all three pillars of its work and translates early warning into early action.
Institutional capacity requires experienced and ethical management and realistic and fit for purpose mandates that sharpen effectiveness and delivery.
How do you think the UN AD initiative is working to align leadership, authority, and resources, to restore confidence in the UN and enable it to deliver results? Secondly, how would you build on the UNA initiative to make it more effective? I thank the Distinguished representative of Canada on behalf of Gaines.
Thank you, Canada, for very pertinent questions, but also for your reflections about the need to strengthen institutional capacity with political courage and to work in the three pillars of the UN as a holistic and interconnected whole.
I I fully agree with that.
Your question on UNA, how to build on UN 80 and make it more effective.
I am following very carefully on how the UN 80 is being own addressed by member states.
What I see, I have to be very frank with you.
I see this with very positive eyes and with optimism because I see a great ownership from member states.
These are not easy decisions.
No the minded review process requires discipline, requires generosity, requires vision.
In my opinion, the best way to look at the UN 80 is to look as a package under the principle of form follows function and not the other way around.
We need to reenter our priorities.
We need to understand with other actors do a better work we need to identify with the UN really adds value in a completely different world, where regional actors where national capacities with different groups and initiatives are working and sometimes better than the UN, the UN is not the only game in town anymore and we should have this adaptive capacity and understand the UNT as this evolution of the organization in the right direction.
It would be, I would say, I would look at the UN AT how far the reform has gone, I would start and pick up from that and of course, project the UN reform to make it work and to increase the effectiveness, the impact of the organization.
Two of the challenges I see is the change in the institutional culture in the way we do business.
I think this is going to be perhaps the most difficult issue, including in the Secretariat.
How is that we can manage a disciplined budget? How is that we can think about the budgetary implications of the mandates that we establish, and how is that we organize the system so it responds more to the priorities set by member states.
So definitely I am watching carefully and I'm committed to continue and deepen the implementation of the UNAy which is in my view, a very good start.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Distinguished representative of Timor-Leste on behalf of the Group of Portguese speaking countries, followed by Uganda and Sweden.
Excellency, miss Maria Fern Epinoza, thank you for your briefing.
I have the honor of speaking on behalf of the community of Portuguese speaking countries.
The CPLP spans four continents and it's home to more than 280 million people united by a common language, shared heritage, and strong cultural ties.
We attach great importance to the United Nations and to effective multilateral cooperation.
As a community whose members are connected by the ocean across four continents, the CPLP views ocean governance as an issue that cut across sustainable development, food security, climate action, and internal international cooperation.
How would you position the ocean within the United Nations agenda and advance concrete action in areas such as implementation of the BB&G agreement, combating illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, and mobilizing financing for a sustainable blue economy.
Thank you, Madam.
Thank the Distinguished representative of Timor-Leste on behalf of the Group of Portuguese speaking countries.
Please miss Espinosa.
Thank you to Timor-Leste on behalf of the Lussohon countries in Your question about the blue economy, the importance of oceans, I think it's reflected in the three ocean conferences that the UN has had in a very short period of time.
It means that the discussion about the future of oceans is at the center and it's provided with great importance.
What I can say is that, again, I would like to bring my experience as president of the governing council of the Galapagos Islands.
I can tell you that I a coastal countries, countries that depend very much on the ocean for their development.
They both have the responsibility of protecting the ocean.
Unfortunately, I see oceans as the microcosm of the things that gives us optimism as a source and a potential of development, but also as a challenge.
The challenges in oceans are that the environmental crisis that we suffer materialize in ocean ecosystems.
The climate crisis, the pollution crisis, the extinction crisis, they all come together in ocean.
We have a responsibility as an international community to address these issues.
You mentioned the issue of illegal activity in oceans.
This is a very a concerning issue.
I think the international community should mobilize.
We should use the tools that we have in hand, UNODC and other tools because illegal activities in oceans are increasing.
I come also from a region where we see is not only illegal fishing, other illegal activities starting with human trafficking, with drug trafficking.
I think that it is important that we come together to address the very dangerous issue of illegal activity in ocean.
In terms of the potential and sustainable use of oceans and the blue economy, and the opportunities are enormous.
As Secretary-General, I will ensure that I work hand in hand with coastal and ocean countries to make sure that the ocean is a source of development and prosperity, either by tourism or biotechnology or sustainable use of ocean resources.
The potential is huge.
The potential of oceans is enormous and you can count on me to place the blue economy and the future of oceans at the center of the sustainable development and the peace and security agenda.
Yeah.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Singish Representative of Uganda on behalf of the non aligned movement, followed by Romania and the next civil society organization.
I speak on behalf of the 121 member states of the non aligned movement, NAM NAM affirms the role of the United Nations in promoting multer and international cooperation which are key for addressing global challenges that impact the member states of the movement.
The Declaration on the Rights Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1986, that's almost 40 years ago.
What is your position on the right development and how would you advance its implementation within the United Nations system? How would you assess the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the ability of affected developing countries to achieve sustainable development goals and fully implement the 2030 agenda? What what concrete actions would you promote in your capacity as Secretary-General to strengthen the role of the United Nations in opposing such illegal measures that violate the UN charter? How would you argue for the elimination and promote mechanisms to prevent their application.
Last but not least, considering the importance of safeguarding the full independence, impartiality, and institutional integrity of the Secretariat, what measures would you propose to ensure that these principles are reflected in the equitable and effective support to all member state representation in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Uganda on behalf of the non aligned movement, please, Espinoza.
Thank you to Uganda on behalf of the non aligned movement.
First of all, on the right to development, you said it well.
It's a resolution that has 40 years that I would say it's part of the human rights architecture that member states have developed.
Just to remind ourselves that human rights are universal, indivisible, non selective and every right is important.
I think that we are as humanity, we have the responsibility to comply with the two covenants, the covenant on economic and social rights and the covenant on civic and political rights together, and of course, the right to development is part of that whole.
I Regarding unilateral coercive measures, my role as Secretary-General would not be there to perhaps take sides in the debates or arbitrate, but to uphold the charter, to uphold international law and the mandates entrusted to the organization and the Secretariat by member states.
The role of the Secretary-General has to be, it's part of the job description to protect people and to maintain diplomatic channels always open.
Regarding the dependence, impartiality of the UN staff, I will be a strong defender of the respect for Article 100 of the charter.
You can be assured, Excellency.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the first speaker on behalf of national member states or national capacity.
Please be aware that the time limit is 2 minutes for the questions and also 2 minutes for the answers.
I really have to be sharp on that one again because assuring that we have the same terms for every candidate here at the podium and maybe also reminding those who ask questions if there are multiple questions in 12 minute statement, it's really hard to answer if you're not just saying yes or no to the questions, so please be aware of that.
So as the first speaker, I would give the floor to the Singed representative of Romania, followed by the next civil society organization and Peru and Angola.
Thank you very much, Madam President and the fact that we have the first national statement after more than 2 hours and 15 minutes, it's a reflection for us member states, probably in the revitaization process from the next session.
There are also member states, yeah.
Of course, absolutely.
Now, I simply I will use less than 2 minutes.
I think, miss Espinoza, you addressed a number of questions.
What is important? You also referred to the relationship between the General Assembly and Security Council, especially on matters related to peace and security.
What is important for us as member states as we are looking in the environment under which we operate, there is undeniably an erosion of trust in the United Nations and the multilateral system.
The Secretary-General will play its role, member states as well.
I would be very much interested to see how you look at the primary factors of this erosion.
And whether you would employ more the secretary hat or the general hat.
You talked about it in the opening statement.
The other point is not a second question, but it's also linked to the overall state of affairs in the United Nations is the gap between commitments that we undertake as member states and the implementation.
Thank you very much.
Thank the distinguish representative of Romania, please, miss Espinosa.
Well, thank you to Romania and welcome to the opportunity for individual member states to address this assembly.
You touched on very important issues about the role of the Secretary-General in rebuilding trust and keeping channels of communication constantly open.
These are I would say it's very easy to use phrases that sound nice and good.
I think it's important to think that the renewal of leadership sometimes brings oxygen to the house.
It allows to re engage member states, to have new channels of communication, to bring together the different organs of the house to speak to each other, to coordinate the work.
I remember when I was president of the General Assembly, I established this modality, two modalities.
One called some might remember the old timers in the house, but I called the Minga dialogues, which I organized every morning, very early in the morning.
I brought member states together to discuss difficult issues when I saw that there was division and tension in the house.
Dialogue is irreplaceable.
This being seen as this independent honest broker in the house is extremely valuable and important.
Now, you also mentioned Excellency, the issue of the implementation gap.
In what to do about that.
I think this is a shared responsibility in the mandates that we produce and the ability that we collectively have to deliver on them.
I think that the mandate review process is going to help us in this reflection as we continue to implement the UN process.
I said I will be implementation Secretary-General working hand in hand with all of you with member states.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the next civil society organization here present in the room, Institu gar.
Please, you have the floor.
Good afternoon.
I'm Giovanna ale speaking on behalf of the Garp Institute, and our work is guided by a vision of a safer, more just and climate resilient future in which people and nature thrive together.
Yet, as climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation intensify, global governance frameworks remain fragmented, insufficiently coordinated and too often failed to reflect the interconnected nature of this crisis, particularly for countries and communities already facing the greatest impacts.
My question is, what concrete reforms would you prioritize to strengthen the UN's leadership on climate action while better aligning it with nature protection? Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the civil society.
Please, miss Espinosa, you have the floor.
Thank you to the gara Institute for the question, and my answer to that would be, I think that the responsibility of the Secretary-General is to ensure better coordination, better integration, and better capacity to respond jointly to the issue of the environmental crisis.
In here, I'm speaking from the experience more on the side of member states.
I'm not speaking only about climate, but the issue for our countries is how we separate when we produce policy, when we prioritize investment, when we want to do action that connects environment and development.
We have to report back to the three main conventions, to the three Rio conventions in separate tracks.
The counterparts in the UN are different counterparts.
There are more than 200 multilateral environmental agreements that countries that have subscribed them have to report back on them.
Often when I was Minister of Heritage, I experienced that.
We spent so much energy and resources reporting back than what we invested in terms of designing the right policies, planning accordingly, and doing the work we needed to do.
Your question is about how to strengthen UN leadership.
I think the best way we can do as Secretary-General is to organize the house together.
Know, if you track which of the programs and agencies do climate change, in what ways they deliver, what is the value added they bring? What are the agencies that work on forests? What are the agencies that work on oceans? How they come together, how they plan together, and how they provide the support needed to member states.
I think we really need to I you know, to rethink creatively in consultation with member states, how is that we simplify the work of the UN Secretariat the UN system in providing the support that countries need to really implement and deliver on their environmental commitments.
The issue of the climate leadership of the UN, I think that we have to acknowledge that the UN has had loud voice on this field, but we really have to rethink the environmental governance within the UN Secretariat.
That would be my responsibility as Secretary-General to make sure that we make the life of member states easier and we are really in support of their commitments.
My time is up.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru, followed by Angolia and the United Kingdom.
Thank you, Madam President.
At the outset, distinguished Ambassador Espinosa, we convey the greetings of Peru and a warm welcome to you.
Peru participates in this dialogue with the firm commitment to strengthen the UN to with cooperation, address the emerging challenges of humanity.
Inspired by the legacy of Ambassador Javier Pérez Dequella, the only UN Secretary-General from Latin America and the Caribbean, we reaffirmed the importance of leadership that is able to ensure consensus in the current international context marked by increasing complexity, volatility and uncertainty.
Peru, in addition to what has been mentioned by the Mission of Korea, together with the group of countries and the ACT, I would like to ask the following three countries.
What specific actions will you take to recover the effective leadership and dialogue role for the Secretary-General to contribute both to preventing and resolving major armed conflicts and also to responding to emerging threats and challenges to peace and security, such as transnational organized crime and AI governance.
What is your view regarding the role that Latin America and the Caribbean should and can play in promoting and defending the principles of the UN Charter? How do you imagine revigorizing the relationship between the UN and Bretton Woods organizations and how would you work with them more closely on development and on implementing the SDG agenda? Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for Distinguish Representative for Peru, please, miss Espinosa.
Motel.
Well, thank you very much, Your Excellency.
Thank you very much to Peru for that question.
I hope to be able to live up to the expectations and the standards of Ambassador Pérez de quill that we all remember with great admiration due to the legacy that he left in this house.
Now, on your first question on the organization's role in peace and leadership and and security, I think that we've heard from states about how we need to recover this active role for the organization as a peacemaker and how this is key to all processes, not only conflict prevention, but also mediation processes and also processes to provide support to garner lasting peace.
I think that the world has changed.
The Secretary-General firstly, has to be seen, has to be present, and I think that they have to learn to adapt their role firstly in line with the mandate conferred by states, particularly the Security Council.
But humanity has to know that the representative of the the United Nations will always be there wherever it is needed.
Sometimes they need to take a leading role and sometimes they need to take a supportive role.
I think that the UN, in particular, the Secretariat, has to adapt to these new conditions.
We've seen mediation efforts that have been successful are worth recognizing from groups of countries and individual countries.
This morning, we had some good news, for instance, on the signing of an agreement between Iran and the United States through the mediation of several individual countries.
There, the UN has to find its place.
It has to look at how it can have a seat at the table, how it can raise its profile, and it can show the necessary muscle and infrastructure to achieve lasting peace.
I'm already running out of time.
Now, in terms of the UN's relationship with Bretton Woods institutions, I think that's extremely important.
We've heard from the G 77 and all of the developing countries the different groups, and what they need is international financial architecture that meets their needs and that gives them a voice and allows them a role in decision making.
I don't have any more time, but I will try to come back to your excellent questions, Your Excellency.
Thank you.
We have ten more speakers.
If everybody stays quite short and please if you stay within the 2 minutes, otherwise, I have to implement the microphone cutoff at this stage.
We can hear all of them.
Next speaker on the list is Angola, followed by the Russian Federation and the Maldives.
No, thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Ambassador Spinoza for presenting your vision statement.
We'd like to pose the following questions.
First, your candidacy was announced after four other candidates had already participate in similar informal dialogues.
What prompt your decision to enter the race at this stage? More importantly, what specific experience, leadership qualities, or vision do you bring that distinguish you from the candidates who have already presented themselves and what would make you the strongest choice for this position? Second, at this time of growing geopolitical tensions, declining trust among member states, and increasing challenges to multilateral cooperation, how would you use the authority and good offices of the Secretary-General to foster dialogue, strengthen confidence building, and advance practical solutions among divide stakeholders? Could you provide a concrete example of how your experience has prepared you for such a role? I thank you.
I thank you distinguished representative of Angola, please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you for your questions, Excellency.
You're asking about why I came.
I'm a newcomer.
Since there are no deadlines to present candidacies, we know that well.
I mentioned during my opening statement that before taking the decision in accepting the invitation of many countries that were saying, why don't you put your name forward? I want to be very candid here.
I wanted to listen to member states.
Many of you know that I visit you, I spoke to you here and in capitals to do a round of consultations to see if they believed that there was space for more options.
A listening, after having a serious conversation to several countries, after accepting the very generous invitation of a country that champions multilateralism and has contributed so much to this house, Antigua and Barbuda.
I decided to take the challenge and to do everything in my power to have the honor to serve this house.
But it was about listening, about gathering the expectations from member states and taking a decision that was a responsible decision, of course.
What are the qualities that I bring to the house? I'm going to say 30 years of experience of being a multilateralist from my different positions.
You have received my CV, but above all, you have seen me in action.
Many of you have seen me in action.
I am a person that is a bridge builder that can be impartial, serve all countries equally, being seen as impartial, independent, able to bring even the hardest positions together.
You mentioned about giving a concrete example in very short period of time, being able to agree on two successive ceasefires between the ELN and Colombia, having been able to reform entirely the armed forces of my country, which is a very big, strong and important institution of my country.
I also I have a track record to be a reformist and to be an impact driven leader.
I have to end here, but thank you Excellency for your questions.
I now give the floor to the distinguish representative of the Russian Federation, followed by the Maldives and the Civil Society organization.
Thank you, Madam President.
The Russian Federation believes it's necessary to select the best candidate, the candidate who sticks to the highest standards of competency, professionalism, and upholds the charter as a whole.
Miss Espinosa, we have the following question for you.
The SG should be guided should the SG be guided by non consensus GA resolutions which stray beyond the charter.
This applies in particular to issues under the consideration of the Security Council.
Do you believe that charter principles can be ranked? Can the Secretariat interpret the charter of the organization as the current SG is doing, who takes it takes it upon himself to decide in which instances the principle of self determination is key and in which cases it's territorial integrity that takes precedence.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.
I give the floor to Espinosa.
Well, thank you to the Russian Federation for this very important question.
I think that the charter must be upheld as a whole as a political and normative package.
I don't think that the Secretary-General has to rank the principles or establish a hierarchy among them.
I strongly believe that the purposes and principles of the charter were designed to really operate together as a part of a coherent, as mentioned, legal and political framework.
Um, the role of the Secretary-General is therefore not to determine which principle is more important but to support their consistent implementation in accordance with the charter.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Maldives.
Thank you, Madam President, Your Excellency.
Your vision calls for disciplined reform and warns against cosmetic change.
What would be the clearest early signal in management terms that reform under your leadership is strengthening accountability and coherence rather than simply reorganizing structures.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representatives of the Maldives, please, miss Espinosa.
Gill, I thank you very much for that question because I spoke about a discipline in budgets.
I spoke about accountability and this gives me opportunity to speak about accountability.
Some of you have said and asked, how is that we regain trust? One of the means to regain trust is through accountability.
And here I have to say that I have been doing an analysis of the accountability infrastructure of the UN and looking at the role of the Joint inspection unit, at the role of the board of auditors, of the Internal Oversight Office, of the role of oversight that governing bodies of the programs and agencies have.
I really believe that we really need to have a coherent package of accountability within the Secretariat.
There are mechanisms that are independent like the board of auditors, for example, the Joint inspection unit is also an independent body, but I think that we need to have a coherent a in toolbox of accountability where the Secretariat is constantly and permanently accountable to the member states in that within the Secretariat, there are fully fledged accountability mechanisms.
I've been looking at the work of the Internal Oversight office and there is lots of adjustments to do.
Accountability has to be a built in constant permanent part of the institutional culture.
I'm working on that.
I have to say I'm also working on a financing compact for the UN to have a sustainable, predictable budget, working hand in hand with member states.
I mentioned you know, to use the new leadership to really sit down with member states and discuss seriously about how to ensure a sustainable, responsible, a disciplined budget for the organization.
This is really not cosmetic, is a change in the institutional culture, which is not easy to do, but I am ready to embark in this endeavor with your support.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the last civil society organization Impact Compact.
Please, you have the floor.
Thank you and good afternoon.
I'm Bnushbar and as a college student, I'm mindful that millions of girls around the world are still denied access to education and opportunities.
I'm reminded every day that education is more than just access to a classroom.
It is dignity, opportunity, and the freedom to imagine a future.
Yet for millions of girls around the world, that future continues to be shaped by conflict, discrimination, displacement, and restrictions that limit their ability to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
If education is both a fundamental human right and the foundation of sustainable development, what responsibility should the United Nations have when girls are systematically denied that right? And how would you, as Secretary-General, Thank you very much.
Not left behind.
I thank the Civil Society representative of Impact Compact, please, miss Espinosa.
Well, thank you to Impact Compact and thank you for bringing the rights of girls to the conversation and the right of girls to education.
There are many commitments, many international human rights treaty bodies that address this issue.
It is about implementation, it is about keeping the right to education and girls education at the center.
I agree with you that a No, this is a fundamental issue of dignity and rights and it's not only access to schools, it is about dignity, equal opportunity.
If, let me give you just one example.
If you look at the huge digital gap, more than 30% of the world is offline.
The majority of the people online in the world is basically women and girls and that is very much connected to the discrimination you were talking about.
The UN has that responsibility as Secretary-General, the Secretariat of the UN will put that, of course, as a matter of priority.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the distinguish representative of Cuba, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, distinguished Maria Fernandes Espinosa Garcias.
Cubo is grateful for this opportunity for this interactive dialogue.
We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the G 77, the Nam AOsis as well, and we'd like to ask the following questions in our national capacity.
Firstly, What structural reforms would you support to transform the international financial system into a fair, more inclusive and more representative system that effectively meets the needs and priorities of developing countries, including access to financing, debt relief, and a greater voice and participation in decision making? Secondly, in light of the increasing escalation of conflicts and the proliferation of belligerent narratives, what action would you take within the Secretary-General office to promote a culture of peace, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for the principle of the non use of force? Thank you.
Muchas.
I now give the floor to miss Espinoza and thank the Distinguished Representative of Cuba.
Thank you very much for the question from Cuba.
Now, on structural reforms, I was saying at the beginning that developing countries need three things to be able to implement their commitments in terms of sustainable development.
One, they need access to resources, they need technology transfer, they need energy, and they need to build their institutional capacities, and that is what the UN system needs to respond to.
Now one of the structural issues that is most hampering this is the current design of the international financial system.
Specifically, what we're talking about here is debt restructuring mechanisms.
We know that 3.4 billion people live in countries that implement more in debt relief pay more for debt relief than in educational health.
There's an issue here of regulation to restructure all of this.
Secondly, they need access to concessional funds, particularly for the most vulnerable countries.
There are mechanisms such as debt sustainability analyses that do not take into account the specific vulnerabilities of certain countries and groups of countries such as small island developing states.
Now, what is the UN's role? The UN isn't a bank, but it is the most suitable platform.
It has the most information.
It has seen political commitments such as the seville commitment to bring this discussion here to inform the discussion, and to feed into decision making that can benefit countries while they meet their development goals.
Now the question that you asked, Excellency, on how to build a culture of peace, this is a fundamental role for the UN as an organization, but in particular, it is also the fundamental role of the Secretary-General as the major ambassador for peace at the global level.
Peace is not only something that can be looked at ahead, it is something that can be forged.
It is through combating extreme poverty, inequalities, ensuring energy for the many people who do not have access to energy.
That's what it means to build a culture of peace.
N.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Visinupative of Indonesia, followed by the Philippines and Dibbou.
Thank you, Madam President.
Excellency, miss Espinosa.
We thank you for sharing your vision, and we also take note of your vision for a UN that restores trust and delivers results.
Indonesia, I would like to pose the following questions.
First, with multilateralism currently under increasing strain, how will you overcome persistent resistance to change, especially when there is a need for more fundamental recalibration to the UN system? Second, how do you intend to revitalize the UN's role as the prominent forum for open dialogue among leaders to foster mutual understanding and solidarity and please provide the concrete examples.
Third, if elected, how do you envision strengthening meaningful youth participation in shaping global norms and contributing to the forward looking and future ready multilateral solutions? We look forward to your insights.
Thank you.
I thank the Distinguished representative of Indonesia, please, miss Espino.
Thank you, Indonesia for your questions.
You mentioned the resistance to change in the face of a reform that is not only necessary but is inevitable.
I mentioned that you can improve, for example, the the UN does procurement.
You can put together all the muscle of the UN in terms of data management and locate that in Valencia, which is a very concrete case.
You can do all of that.
But if the institutional culture doesn't change, it's going to be very difficult to ensure that the transformations that the UN needs to be more effective, more impact oriented.
Limmer are not going to be able to be sustained in the long term.
We need to work together, member states, the Secretariat, the new Secretary-General work together to ensure that the transformations and the changes that are going to happen and are happening today are really owned by everybody, including the UN staff.
I haven't had the time to just a few words of gratitude for the resilience mission oriented and the committed staff of the United Nations.
You your question about youth participation, absolutely vital.
For me, the participation of youth is not just to tick the box.
I have to say, you will see my office, the office of the Secretary-General, is going to also be an intergenerational office.
I trust fully the creativity, the innovation, and the energy of young talent.
Of course, the UN has now a UN office.
I will be working hand in hand with the UN office, for example, to think about a new pact for jobs for young people in the future.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Distinguished representative of the Philippines, followed by Dibuti and Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam President and thank you, Madam Espinosa.
As chair of the like minded group for middle income countries, the Philippines would like to inquire how you believe the UN support to middle income countries can be improved considering that the majority of the world's poor continue to live in middle income countries.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines, please, miss Espinosa.
I really would like to thank the Philippines for the question because I come from a middle income country.
I have served government as a public servant for many years.
I know exactly what the challenges are.
The issue of graduation, the issue of non access to concessional funding.
I think the effort that the House is doing to think about beyond GDP and looking at other vulnerabilities and specific needs, this double trap of middle income countries, I fully relate to that.
I understand what the problems are.
And you will count on a Secretary-General that really comes from a middle income country, like the vast majority of the people in the world.
I have no time to go into the details, but I fully understand the agenda.
I'm committed to bring the agenda to the center of the work we do and to connect the middle income agenda with the development agenda.
Thank you.
Thank you.
We have 15 minutes left and if we continue as this, we can hear all the speakers as the last times as well.
We started a couple of minutes off late, so this is the minutes we add after six, but we will end here at six or eight sharp.
As the next speaker, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Dibouti and we will hear afterwards Ukraine and Namibia, also the opportunity to finalize the interactive dialogue.
Dibouti, please you have the floor.
Thank you, Madam President.
In the interest of time, I'll go straight to the questions.
As Secretary-General, Madam Espinoza, how would you mobilize the United Nations system, including agencies such as ILO, UNDP, acted, and international financial institutions around the common and measurable global jobs agenda aimed at creating opportunities for youth, women and entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Second, the SG relies on the vital work done by special envoys and SR SGs.
In your view, what institutional ecosystem, including political support, financing, analytical capacity, regional partnerships, and coordination with member states is necessary to ensure that special envoys can deliver meaningful and measurable impacts.
Last but not least, you emphasize the importance of communication in one of your answers to an earlier question.
How do you believe your background as a poet will shape your leadership style as SG in what ways would you use the power of narrative in helping the UN reconnect with people and inspire collective action? Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I thank the distinguished representative of Dibbouti also bringing smile to everybody's face.
Please, miss Espinoza.
To my face, certainly, thank you to Dibbouti for such important questions.
You mentioned the jobs agenda.
This is absolutely central for the future of development.
When I look at Africa and the demographic dividend of Africa, when I look at the future of young people, when I look at the impact of artificial intelligence, I strongly believe that we really need to be serious about aligning the UN system as they support countries and they work hand in hand for a new a jobs compact that we have to co create.
This is an absolutely vital issue and very happy to align the UN system in support of member states on this very important issue.
The issue of financing special envoys and SRSGs, I think it's part of the the certainty, the discipline of a new budget for the UN.
Of course, I have been looking at the job descriptions of the special envoys and the SRSGs.
I think that they have a very important role to play, of course, but I think we need to reassess what we actually need and what is also the building capacity that the UN has in house.
And you will see a Secretary-General that is out there that is active and perhaps in some cases, there is no need for a special envoy if the Secretary-General herself can play that role.
But of course, financing is an important issue.
Now if you allow me because I really need to respond to the question of being a poet.
In the Sometimes people say to be a poet, it's a paston it's a hobby.
For me to be a poet is the way I look at the world, the way I communicate and engage with people, the way I honor words and the power of words and narrative.
I think this is something that I can bring to the UN to ensure that we communicate better, that we communicate, that we engage better, in that we bring with the peoples as co responsible for the work that the UN does.
This is very much part of the building trust that we're talking about.
Thank you.
I now give the floor first to Ukraine and then to Namibia as the final speakers of today.
This would give you also the opportunity within these answers to summarize for today's interactive dialog.
Please distinguished representative of Ukraine, you have the floor.
Thank you, Madam President and thank you, Madame Espinosa, for sharing your vision and priorities.
Just last night, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine striking several cities, including the capital Kyiv, where the Kyiv Pacherslavra, UNESCO World Heritage monastery complex was set on fire and significantly damaged.
At least 11 people were killed and more than 50 injured.
We once again see Russia a permanent member of the UN Security Council instead of upholding the Council's core mandate to maintain international peace and security, deliberately violating international law, killing civilians and destroying unavailable cultural heritage.
Russia's actions must be stopped and Russia must be held accountable.
My question is, how do you plan to utilize the mandate of the Secretary-General, including by engagement with the General Assembly to advance diplomatic efforts to end Russia's aggression against Ukraine? And promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, and at the same time, strengthen accountability for violation of international law committed by Russia during its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Thank you.
Thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine, please, miss Espinosa.
Thank you to Ukraine.
I think that new leadership in the House can really help create new momentum for finding common ground for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, including Ukraine.
I think SG, the Secretary-General must uphold the charter, must keep channels for dialogue open must deploy her good offices in capacity as a truly an honest broker when required.
The Secretary-General has the responsibility to abide and defend international law and the charter.
I thank miss Espinosa and as the final speaker of today, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam Espinosa, in September 2024, world leaders adopted the most wide ranging international agreement in many years, namely the PCT for the future, a notable agreement that has reinvigorated the multilateral system and has given direction in a number of important global multilateral thematic issues.
My questions are as follows.
One, what is your vision to implementing the PEC for the future and how best can the Secretariat support member states in its implementation ahead of the 2028 review of the PC, particularly the reform of the international financial architecture, which is at the core of denying the much needed funding for developing countries.
Two, commonly held that when women lead, peace follows.
In the true spirit of the women peace and security agenda, what advantage would you as a woman be bringing in addressing global hotspots that are plaguing the world, particularly in Gaza and Sudan? The, the last question is, what would you do differently from the current Secretary-General in response to today's geopolitical situation? I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia, please, miss Espinosa, answering the question, and also opportunity to sum up.
The Pact of the future, I think, as mentioned before, it is a roadmap for reform of the United Nations.
It should go hand in hand with the efforts under UN 80, and of course, the Secretariat has the responsibility because it was adopted by member states, has the responsibility to support member states as they deliver their implementation.
There are parts of the Pact of the future that fall directly into the responsibility of the Secretary-General and you can count that, I will take that seriously because it is a mandate from member states, and I will see the review a process in 2028 as a moment to really assess progress.
I hope that we will celebrate the progress then.
In the role of the Secretariat in support of the reform of the international financial architecture.
I have mentioned how important this is for developing countries.
This is at the core also of Agenda 2063, which it's the twin agenda with Agenda 20 2030, but with a wider horizon.
The UN has a critical role to play as an information an analysis provider, as a global platform as a place for legitimacy and political traction.
We will pursue that agenda seriously also to comply with the Sevilla commitment in its action agenda.
Your question about the women peace and security agenda as former Minister of Defense, you might understand that this is absolutely central in the peace and security agenda of the organization.
You also asked about the issue of prevention.
I'm running out of time, but of course, no, I think you talked prevention, women peace and security agenda.
The qualities of the Secretary-General that you mentioned, I would say I already mentioned what I bring in a very a candid way.
I bring the experience, I bring the energy, I bring my commitment and knowledge about the system, and also I bring my commitment and my understanding of what public service mean.
Public service does not mean personal entitlement.
It's a public trust.
Thank you.
We have come to the end of the interactive dialogue.
I would like to thank you, miss Espinosa, and all member states, all participants for their valuable contributions.
After receiving this afternoon, another nomination for a new candidate for the position of the next Secretary-General and as announced in my letter dated June 1st, that we would schedule additional dialogues in the week of June 15th, in case of additional candidates.
If they would emerge, I would like to announce that the interactive dialogue with miss Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett will take place this Thursday, June 18th, 2026, at 10:00 A.M.
In this chamber.
The meeting is adjourned.
I wish you all a good evening.
Thank you.