María Fernanda Espinosa

Politician, Diplomat

Ecuadorian Salamanca, Spain

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician, Diplomat
NationalityEcuadorian
Date of Birth07/09/1964
Age61 years
BirthplaceSalamanca, Spain

Latest News about María Fernanda Espinosa

12/05/2026

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda formally nominated María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés as its candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General. The nomination was transmitted to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council in accordance with the selection process established for the 2026 appointment.

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameMaría Fernanda Espinosa Garcés
Famous ForFourth Woman and First Latin American Woman to become the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 73rd Session

Physical Stats & More

Height163 cm
Weight60 kg
Eye ColorLight Brown
Hair ColorCopper Golden Brown

Educational Qualification(s)

Doctor of PhilosophyEnvironmental Geography from Rutgers University
Master's DegreeSocial Science and Amazonic Studies
Postgraduate DegreeAnthropology and Political Science from the Facultad Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales in Quito
LicentiateApplied Linguistics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador

Personal Life

Hobbies
  • Writing Poetry
  • Reading
  • Traveling

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
HusbandFranco Sergio Botta
Children
  • Sergio Botta
  • Alfredo Botta
  • Monica Botta
  • Carla Botta
Parents
FatherHonorato Espinosa
MotherElena Morales
Siblings
  • Armando Espinosa
  • Honorato Espinosa
  • Maria Paulina Espinosa

Career

Political PartyPAIS Alliance
Political Journey
  • 2007: Minister for Foreign Affairs under President Rafael Correa
  • 2008: Appointed as Ecuador's Permanent Representative to the United Nations
  • 2009-2012: Coordinating Minister of Heritage
  • 2012: Minister of National Defense
  • 2014: Named Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in Geneva
  • 2017: Appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President Lenín Moreno
  • 2018: Appointed as the President of the United Nations General Assembly
  • May 2024 - Present: President of Cities Alliance
  • September 2022 - Present: Chief Executive Officer of GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion
  • May 2026: Nominated by Antigua and Barbuda as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. María is an Ecuadorian politician and diplomat elected as the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 73rd Session in June 2018.
2. She is also known as a poet and essayist.
3. Maria showcases a keen interest in ecology.
4. In 1990, she achieved the "First National Poetry Prize of Ecuador."
5. Additionally, she is a member of the World Future Council.
6. Maria advocated for Julian Assange's case during a discussion on arbitrary detention in September 2016.
7. She boasts over 20 years of international experience in handling multilateral issues related to security, integration, heritage, culture, and human rights.
8. Maria actively supports animal rights as an animal activist.
9. She is the Executive Director of GWL Voices, an NGO dedicated to achieving a gender-equal multilateral system.
10. She received the Rehabilitation International Award and the Sundance Film Festival Women's Leadership Award for her efforts in supporting rights of persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and women's leadership.
11. She is a member of the International Crisis Group and the UN Advisory Council on Human Security.
12. She has led initiatives on debt relief, the water economy, and climate governance.
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