UN Secretary-General candidate stresses credibility, Global South cooperation

Maria Fernanda Espinosa, a former Ecuadorian foreign minister and past United Nations (UN) General Assembly president, is stressing the need to restore the credibility of the UN and strengthen cooperation among developing countries as she seeks the world's top diplomatic post.

She is among five candidates in the race, urging renewed focus on UN reform, credibility, and South‑South cooperation.

Speaking to China Global Television Network (CGTN) in London, Espinosa stressed that the UN's relevance is being tested by mounting global crises, warning that polarization and armed conflicts demand renewed international cooperation.

"I think that we are living in a world that is polarized, a world that is fragmented, a world in crisis. We're seeing the highest number of armed conflict since World War II. International cooperation is seen as absolutely needed these days, especially among young people. They feel international cooperation and solidarity continue to be fundamental as we build a world with less inequalities and working together to ensure that people live free from fear and free from want. That is precisely what the UN was created for, to prevent wars and to protect people, which means that the UN, in spite of this world in crisis, continues to be necessary, continues to be relevant and important," said Espinosa.

Asked how she would restore the credibility of the UN, Espinosa said the next Secretary-General must show impact and impartiality, serving as a neutral, agenda-free broker trusted by all sides.

"Credibility cannot be proclaimed, it has to be earned. And the way to earn credibility is about impact and effectiveness and ensuring that people on the ground feel that they are being served and listened to, and where people in need or in situations of conflict, they feel the UN is there for them. It's very important that in the next selection of the secretary-general, that quality of being seen as an impartial, honest broker is put at the center. To be a person that is non-aligned, that doesn't have an agenda, and is friends with everyone, and doesn't favor anyone, impartiality is extremely important," said the candidate.

Espinosa emphasized the need for South-South cooperation to strengthen the UN's accountability and focus on people's well‑being.

"I'm a strong believer in South-South cooperation, in triangular cooperation, in new forms of cooperation that are emerging. The latest South-South cooperation conference was held under my presidency of the General Assembly in Buenos Aires. One common purpose is better international cooperation and a stronger UN that is leaner and results-oriented, that is more accountable. And above all, that is centered on the well-being of people to prevent war and protect people," she said.

The incumbent UN chief Antonio Guterres will conclude his second five-year term at the end of this year.

UN Secretary-General candidate stresses credibility, Global South cooperation

China has delivered tangible results since its accession to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) one year ago, said scholars and industry insiders at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the PSMA's entry into force in Shanghai on Friday.

The agreement, which took effect in China in April last year, is the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal fishing, by preventing vessels engaged in such fishing from using ports to land their catches.

At the anniversary event, attendees highlighted China's progress in implementing the treaty. "The first batch of 23 designated ports open to foreign-flagged fishing vessels has been identified, spanning eight provincial coastal areas including Tianjin," said Xia Liang, a professor from Shanghai Ocean University, when delivering a speech at the event.

In addition to the concrete measures, China has actively fulfilled its obligations under the agreement over the past year.

"By joining the PSMA and taking action, China has shown its responsibility and commitment as a responsible fishing nation. In fact, even before joining, China's distant-water fleet had already been following the conservation rules set by regional fisheries organizations," said Zhao Gang, executive vice president of the China Overseas Fisheries Association.

China's fishing industry has long embraced responsible and sustainable practices, while academic institutions are also contributing to these efforts, with Shanghai Ocean University now serving as the national contact point for the PSMA.

"By linking research teams, industry bodies, international organizations, and practitioners, we can move academic research from 'on the page' to 'in action,'" said the Shanghai Ocean University President Hu Wei.

The Chinese government deposited its instrument of accession to the PSMA to the FAO on March 17 last year, one month before its accession.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said previously that the accession represents China's action to practice true multilateralism, and demonstrates the concrete effort of China to advance global ocean governance and uphold international maritime order.

China delivers tangible results since accession to PSMA: experts