President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the United Nations should break an 80-year barrier by electing a woman as its next Secretary-General.
She advocated for women's leadership during her address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday as the race to succeed António Guterres enters its final phase.
No woman has occupied the UN’s top post since the organisation was established over 80 years ago.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah put that record directly before the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and reminded the chamber that an institution promoting gender equality must reflect that principle within its own leadership.
"However, let me point out that since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, no woman has served as Secretary General of the organisation. The leadership of the organisation has yet to reflect the principle of gender equality, which is being promoted across the international system. Namibia therefore believes that it's time that a woman be elected as Secretary General of our organisation."
Four women remain in the contest.
Ecuadorian candidates Ivonne Baki and María Fernanda Espinosa, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
They are joined by Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Uganda’s Olara Otunnu and Senegal’s former President Macky Sall.
The field narrowed to seven after former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew her candidacy last week.
The UN Security Council must recommend one candidate to the General Assembly, which makes the appointment under Article 97 of the UN Charter.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for renewed trust in the UN and multilateral cooperation.
"The United Nations is the only platform through which all nations can collectively advance shared aspiration, achieve common goals, and address global challenges. Namibia will remain a constructive partner in strengthening multilateralism cooperation and in restoring trust in the United Nations. Let us therefore continue to defend our organisation. Let us collectively place human dignity at the centre of the United Nations so as to restore trust, effectively manage transformation, and deliver for all."
The selection process for the new Secretary-Secretary is expected to conclude before the end of the year, and the President expressed gratitude to the outgoing Guterres for steering the organisation over the last ten years.