Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has announced her bid to become the next United Nations secretary general.
If successful, Ms Clark would be the first woman to hold the top post.
Helen Clark says her nine years' experience as New Zealand prime minister puts her in good stead to assume the post of secretary general of the United Nations.
Ms Clark has officially announced her bid for the role, aiming to become the first woman in the job after Ban Ki-moon retires at the end of the year.
The former Labor prime minister says she is running on her wide-ranging qualifications.
"Firstly, I'm putting myself forward because I believe I am the best person for the job. Obviously, I am a woman, and one would certainly hope in the 21st century that that did not count against one. But I'm not campaigning as a woman candidate for secretary general. I am campaigning to be the best person for the job."
Ms Clark has already led the United Nations Development Program for seven years.
The New Zealand government will fund her campaign to become secretary-general, likely to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Current prime minister John Key says Ms Clark is a worthy candidate.
"As I've previously said, I'll do all that I can to help her secure the job. There is no doubt it will be a highly contested position, as it's a very important one. But I am confident Helen has what it takes and is the best person for the job."
Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd is also vying for the role.
But he welcomed the news over Twitter, saying Ms Clark will be a strong candidate and he wishes her well.
The United Nations is facing new challenges in recent years, including tensions in China and Russia and various militant threats around the world.
Ms Clark says she is well equipped to lead in the important role.
"I have led a small country in the South Pacific for nine years. I've been in leadership positions, really, going back close to three decades. Obviously, the experience here at the UN the last seven years as administrator, UNDP, has been invaluable. Our world is facing so many crises and challenges, and I think the background I have, the experiences I have, the pragmatism and focus that I have, are what the UN needs right now."
John Key says there is a distinct reason for announcing her nomiation now: becoming the secretary general is a complex process.
"By announcing Helen's nomination today, it means she can start presenting her case to the UN General Assembly, which is holding preliminary meetings with candidates in New York next week. The first straw poll* is expected to be conducted in July."
The General Assembly will appoint the new secretary general at the end of the year, with a recommendation to come from the UN Security Council.
