María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés

María Fernanda Espinosa stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of international relations and geopolitics, bringing over three decades of rich experience from various domains such as academia, nongovernmental organisations, international organisations and high-level governmental positions. Her expertise spans a broad spectrum, including peace and security, sustainable development, environmental issues and human rights, making her an influential speaker in political and geopolitical circles. María's remarkable journey began in academia as a Professor and Researcher at the Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences (FLACSO), where she significantly contributed to research on the Amazon, climate change, biodiversity, and the rights of indigenous peoples. Her academic excellence is highlighted by various scholarships and awards, including the National Poetry Prize of Ecuador in 1990, showcasing her diverse talents.

In the governmental arena, María's roles have been both pivotal and diverse. She served Ecuador as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Heritage, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and made history as the only Latin-American woman elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (2018-2019). Her tenure in these roles was marked by her leadership in international negotiations on climate change and the environment, handling peace and security portfolios with neighbouring countries, and managing foreign investment and trade policies. As Minister of Defense, María implemented significant reforms in the armed forces, focusing on human rights, humanitarian standards, and strategies against organized crime. Her efforts in promoting gender equality and the women, peace, and security agenda were particularly notable.

Her presidency at the UNGA was a testament to her commitment to global governance, multilateralism, health diplomacy and addressing the climate crisis. María's role in leading the Group of 77 and China, and her chairmanship of the Andean Community, further underline her capabilities in multilateral cooperation. Her work as chief negotiator at various United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conferences and the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development played a crucial role in shaping international environmental policies.

María's contributions extend beyond her political and diplomatic roles. Her efforts in supporting the rights of persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and women's leadership have been internationally recognised, earning her accolades such as the Rehabilitation International Award and the Sundance Film Festival Women's Leadership Award. In summary, María Fernanda Espinosa's extensive experience and achievements in international relations, environmental policy, human rights, and academia make her a highly respected and influential figure in politics and geopolitics. Her diverse roles and accomplishments reflect her commitment to fostering sustainable development, promoting human rights, and advocating for stronger global governance and multilateralism - hire her as a politics and geopolitics speaker today!