UN chief hopeful says world body has lost credibility, vows major overhaul

María Fernanda Espinosa delivered a blunt assessment of the United Nations, warning that the organization has lost credibility and is increasingly viewed as ineffective in the face of global crises.

Launching her campaign to succeed António Guterres, Espinosa admitted the UN is too often “missing in action,” describing it as slow, fragmented, and sidelined during major international conflicts. She called for a leaner, more efficient organization capable of delivering real results rather than empty declarations.

Espinosa is one of six candidates vying to lead the UN as it faces one of the deepest crises in its history, with growing criticism over its handling of wars, humanitarian emergencies, and declining global influence. She also noted that, in the organization’s 80-year history, no woman has ever served as secretary-general.