María Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the UNGA, is a prominent figure in the sphere of international relations and geopolitics, with over thirty years of comprehensive experience across academia, non-governmental organisations, international bodies, and significant governmental roles. Her expertise covers a vast array of areas, including peace and security, sustainable development, environmental concerns, and human rights, positioning her as a commanding voice in political and geopolitical forums.
Maria's academic journey commenced as a Professor and Researcher at the Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences (FLACSO), where her contributions to research on the Amazon, climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous peoples' rights were significant. Her academic prowess has been acknowledged with several scholarships and awards, notably the National Poetry Prize of Ecuador in 1990, demonstrating her varied talents and depth of knowledge.
Maria's governmental career is both illustrious and varied, having served Ecuador as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Heritage, as well as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva. Notably, she was the only Latin-American woman to be elected as President of the United Nations General Assembly (2018-2019), where her leadership in international climate change negotiations and handling of peace and security issues, foreign investment, and trade policies stood out. Her tenure as Minister of Defence was marked by significant reforms in the armed forces, emphasizing human rights, humanitarian standards, and strategies against organised crime, alongside a strong focus on gender equality and the women, peace, and security agenda.
During her presidency at the UNGA, Maria exemplified her dedication to global governance, multilateralism, health diplomacy, and tackling the climate crisis. Her ability to lead the Group of 77 and China, coupled with her chairmanship of the Andean Community, showcases her adeptness in fostering multilateral cooperation. Her role as the chief negotiator at various United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conferences and the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development has been instrumental in shaping international environmental policies, underlining her commitment to sustainable global development.
Beyond her political and diplomatic engagements, Maria has made significant contributions towards advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and women's leadership, earning her international recognition and awards such as the Rehabilitation International Award and the Sundance Film Festival Women's Leadership Award. María Fernanda Espinosa's extensive experience and achievements across the domains of international relations, environmental policy, human rights, and academia render her a revered and influential figure in the realms of politics and geopolitics. Her varied roles and accomplishments underline her unwavering dedication to advancing sustainable development, promoting human rights, and championing global governance and multilateralism, making her an exemplary candidate for engagements as a politics and geopolitics keynote speaker.
