Maria Luiza Viotti · Fast

In 2016, Viotti made history again by becoming the first woman to serve as Chief of Staff to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres. In this pivotal role, she oversaw the coordination of the UN’s executive arm, managing strategic planning, crisis response, and interdepartmental alignment. Her work was essential during the early stages of UN management reforms and during heightened global tensions.

Maria Luiza Viotti: A Career of Diplomatic Leadership and Institutional Bridge-Building maria luiza viotti

Viotti first gained wide recognition as Brazil’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2007–2011), a period during which Brazil played an increasingly influential role on the world stage. She was the first woman to lead Brazil’s UN mission, setting a precedent for gender parity in Brazilian diplomacy. Her tenure included Brazil’s non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (2010–2011), where she was praised for her balanced approach to issues such as sanctions, peacekeeping, and the responsibility to protect doctrine. In 2016, Viotti made history again by becoming

After a brief retirement from public service, Viotti was called back to serve as Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (2023) under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Though her tenure was short, she focused on rebuilding Brazil’s foreign policy bridges, emphasizing South-South cooperation, climate diplomacy, and a return to multilateral engagement. Maria Luiza Viotti: A Career of Diplomatic Leadership