Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés is an academic, politician and diplomat with 30+ years of experience, including leadership positions within the Government of Ecuador (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Heritage) and at the most senior level of the United Nations. Most recently, she was appointed to serve as the President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (2018/2019), becoming the fourth woman in history and the first from Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over this body since its foundation in 1945.

Ms. Espinosa Garcés is regarded as an expert on international affairs and the United Nations, defense and security, sustainable development, the environment, climate change, gender equality and indigenous peoples’ rights. With vast experience in intergovernmental negotiations and recognized as an international advocate of multilateralism and women’s rights and empowerment.