María Fernanda Espinosa Faces the General Assembly

Espinosa proposes a Prevention and Early Action Hub reporting directly to the Secretary-General, with integrated early warning and rapid political engagement capacity. She champions a “local first” approach with the UN enabling prevention implementation by others.

Espinosa envisions a continuum encompassing prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, emphasizing preventive efforts. She supports an examination of peacekeeping effectiveness and impact. She advocates for sustainable financing, leveraging partnerships — including through resolution 2719 — and engaging troop contributors.

Espinosa supports a “local first” approach and believes humanitarian action can contribute to rebuilding public trust in the UN. She advocates for more consistent humanitarian funding.  She plans to establish a Prevention and Early Action Hub.

Espinosa prioritizes nationally led development and argues that countries need resources, technology and institutional capacity to deliver sustainable development. She calls for international financial architecture reform. She sees implementation as the main challenge to achieving the SDGs.

Espinosa emphasizes human rights as central to the UN's mandate, supports mainstreaming and prevention, and acknowledges underfunding. She highlights women’s rights and WPS. She supports diversity and geographical representation but does not specifically commit to gender parity.

Espinosa acknowledges civil society as important partners but frames member states as the ultimate arbiters of civil society participation at the UN. She commits to youth inclusion in senior offices.

Espinosa frames energy as a defining global challenge linked to climate insecurity. She calls for the UN to serve as a cooperation platform on energy transition. She commits to establishing a Global Energy Security coordination mechanism.

Espinosa calls for a leaner UN, supporting national actors. She is guided by UN80 and the Pact for the Future, but has said little on structural reform. She has a preference for prudent and silent diplomacy.