María Fernanda Espinosa was the President of the United Nations General Assembly 2018-2019, becoming the fourth woman and the first from Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the position. Maria Fernanda, a distinguished academic, diplomat, politician, poet, and linguist, has also served in high-level government positions, including as Ecuador’s... Read more
María Fernanda Espinosa was the President of the United Nations General Assembly 2018-2019, becoming the fourth woman and the first from Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the position. Maria Fernanda, a distinguished academic, diplomat, politician, poet, and linguist, has also served in high-level government positions, including as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration, and Minister of National Defense.
Maria Fernanda’s expansive professional portfolio spanning over three decades includes roles in academia, NGOs, international organizations, and the government. With graduate studies in social sciences, anthropology, geography, and Amazonian studies, she has established herself as an expert in areas such as public policy, international relations, sustainable development, climate change, gender equality, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
She began her career working with indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and later transitioned to working in civil society organizations and academia. She honed her skills in multilateral diplomacy and international political affairs, with key roles at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN), where she served as an advisor on biodiversity and climate change policy, and later as regional director. She represented Ecuador at the United Nations in both New York (2008-2009) and Geneva (2014-2017), culminating in her historical tenure as the President of the United Nations General Assembly.
In her roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Integration (2007-2008 and 2017-2018) and Minister of National Defense (2012-2014), she played an instrumental part in leading international negotiations on climate change, establishing bilateral and multilateral agreements, and implementing significant reforms in Ecuador’s armed forces, with a strong emphasis on human rights and humanitarian standards.
Today, Maria Fernanda continues to hold several influential positions in the global arena. These include Executive Director of Global Women Leaders for Change and Inclusion, member of the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group, and a member of the High-Level Advisory Council for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. She is also the Chair of the Board of Women in Global Health and a Commissioner to the World Commission on the Economics of Water.
Her tireless work and leadership were recognized in 2019 when the BBC listed her as one of the 100 most inspiring and influential women worldwide. An adept linguist, fluent in Spanish, French, and English, she continues to contribute significantly to international diplomacy and sustainable development.
Functions, reform initiatives, challenges, agenda, and intergovernmental negotiations, multilateralism, and the new world order.
The involvement of states and non-state actors. Pandemic preparedness and institutional responses to health emergencies.
An overview of international negotiations, historical context, current debates, and future scenarios. Challenges and opportunities for energy transitions and decarbonization of economies and societies. The relationship between conflict and climate change.
Including political and economic integration and regional global relations.
Political participation, economic empowerment, digital inclusion, the care economy.
You can book Maria Fernanda Espinosa through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Maria Fernanda's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Maria Fernanda tailored to your event.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa speaks on Cities & Environment, Climate, Diversity, Economics, Economics & Finance. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Maria Fernanda to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Maria Fernanda Espinosa for events worldwide, subject to Maria Fernanda's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Maria Fernanda Espinosa is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Maria Fernanda can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Maria Fernanda Espinosa on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Maria Fernanda can offer.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa delivers keynotes in English, French, Spanish. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa's areas of expertise include Cities & Environment, Climate, Diversity, Economics, Economics & Finance. To get a clear sense of Maria Fernanda's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Cities & Environment, Climate, Diversity, Economics, Economics & Finance is relevant. Details of Maria Fernanda's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Maria Fernanda Espinosa is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Maria Fernanda Espinosa, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Maria Fernanda's current availability for your dates.