UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Former UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has been recommended as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general, said the spokeswoman for the current president of the UN General Assembly Tuesday.

Espinosa has emerged as the fifth contender for the world's top diplomatic job.

Her candidacy was recommended by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, according to La Neice Collins, spokeswoman for UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.