Our Co-Initiators

H.E. Dr. Rosalía Arteaga is an eminent stateswoman, jurist, author, and global advocate whose distinguished trajectory exemplifies a unique mission of democratic leadership, cultural transformation, peaceful diplomacy, and forwardlooking multilateralism. As the first female Head of State of Ecuador, Dr. Rosalia holds a historic place in Latin America’s political evolution, having assumed the presidency in 1997 during a pivotal constitutional moment that underscored her commitment to institutional stability and democratic order. Trained in journalism, law, political and social sciences, Dr. Arteaga represents a rare wealth of intellectual rigor and political governance. Her early ascension from vital and dynamic leadership to national prominence was marked by principled life and public service, notably as Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, where she championed knowledge as a strategic lever of national development and social cohesion. Her resignation from that role, in defense of secular and inclusive education, further cemented her reputation as a values-driven reformer. Advocating the primacy of democratic legitimacy over constitutional crisis, her tenure as Vice President and subsequently President of the Republic of Ecuador unfolded an era of a great quest for political transition in the country—a determining period during which her ethical leadership positioned her as a symbol of resilience, credibility and constitutional loyalty in Latin America’s evolving governance landscape.

Beyond national leadership, Dr. Arteaga has distinguished herself as a key figure in multilateral governance. Her role as Secretary-General of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) placed her at the forefront of regional environmental diplomacy, coordinating cooperation among Amazonian states on biodiversity protection, sustainable development, and ecological governance. This experience is of profound relevance to Africa, particularly in the stewardship of its ecological wealth and the advancement of integrated green economies.

Dr. Rosalia’s leadership extends into the global ecosystem. As President of the Foundation for the Integration and Development of Latin America (FIDAL), she has promoted education reform, democratic dialogue, and sustainability as foundational pillars of development. Her active and constructive participation in international intellectual and policy platforms—including the World Academy of Art and Science, the Encyclopaedia Britannica Editorial Board, and other transnational think tanks reflects her enduring commitment to knowledge diplomacy as a cornerstone of global transformation.

In 2021, Dr. Arteaga’s international stature culminated in the announcement of her candidacy and her willingness to compete for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her candidacy embodied a transformative vision for the United Nations. Anchored in an inclusive global governance, her prospective candidacy responded to longstanding calls for the appointment of the first woman to lead the organization. While H.E. Antonio Guteress (the incumbent Secretary-General) was ultimately reappointed, her campaign contributed meaningfully to the democratization of multilateral selection processes and the elevation of women voice and leadership within global governance frameworks. In parallel, her nomination for leadership roles within the Ibero-American General Secretariat further underscores her credibility as a transcontinental integrator and diplomatic bridge-builder

As a Member of GECCA’s High Presidential and Diplomatic Board, H.E. Rosalia inspires an elder’s lifelong commitment to contributing to fostering a legacy of humanist leadership and a forward-looking vision of global governance that integrates Africa, Latin America, Global South, and the wider world into a new era of global Afrocentric cooperation.

Dr. Arteaga’s personality reflects a broader civilizational vision: that peace economies, sustainable development, and global prosperity must be rooted in integrity, humanist conscience, and ethical leadership. Her moral stature and diplomatic engagement position her as a bridge between continents, cultures, and governance systems capable of inspiring a multipolar transition deeply grounded in shared responsibility and mutual progress.

Dr. Rosalia shares GECCA’s ambition and pledged her full commitment in catalyzing a new global Afrocentric order that transcends extractive paradigms and fosters a new non-aligned cooperation and new transformative investments for the future.