HE Ivonne A-Baki in the UN General Assembly…. Photo credit: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations
HE Ivonne A-Baki is now one of eight candidates officially running for the next UN Secretary General when Tonga’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E Viliami Va‘inga Tōnē made the introduction and reaffirmed the confidence underpinning her nomination at the General Assembly east foyer last week.
Mr. Tōnē stressed on the profound privilege of formally nominating Ambassador A-Baki as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General.
“We did so because we believe she possesses the experience, diplomatic skill and integrity to lead a renewal of the United Nations, enabling it to advance the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter: peace and security, development and human rights.”
Ambassador A-Baki described her nomination as both a profound honor and a solemn responsibility to serve all Member States with independence, integrity and purpose.
Drawing upon more than three decades of distinguished diplomatic and public service, Ambassador A-Baki presented a vision for a renewed, responsive and results-oriented United Nations, one founded upon dialogue, preventive diplomacy, institutional reform and the delivery of tangible and measurable outcomes for the peoples it serves. Her career has included service as a Cabinet Minister, two appointments as Ecuador’s Ambassador to the United States, diplomatic responsibilities across the Middle East, and senior postings in France and Morocco.
Ambassador A-Baki emphasized that an effective Secretary-General must remain directly engaged with the lived realities of people and communities. She affirmed her readiness to pursue diplomacy wherever required, particularly in areas affected by conflict and humanitarian suffering, and underscored the imperative of dialogue, reconciliation and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
For Tonga, the nomination represents a powerful affirmation of the sovereign equality of Member States and of the Kingdom’s enduring commitment to principled, inclusive and
effective multilateralism. As a Small Island Developing State, Tonga firmly believes that every nation, irrespective of geographical size, possesses both the right and the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to shaping the leadership and future direction of the United Nations.
Ambassador A-Baki carries Tonga’s steadfast support and warmest wishes as she continues her engagements with Member States, the Security Council, civil society and the international media throughout the selection process.
Source: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations