BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's president formally nominated Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra on Friday as a candidate for next secretary-general of the United Nations.

President Mauricio Macri said in a letter to the U.N. that his government believes Malcorra is "amply" capable of filling the world body's top diplomatic post.

Malcorra is a former U.N. undersecretary-general and chief of staff to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose term ends Dec. 31. She left the U.N. in December after Macri tapped her to be foreign minister.

The secretary-general is chosen by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the 15-member Security Council.

Traditionally the job has rotated among regions, and people from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe have all held the post.

Some in eastern Europe, including Russia, argue that their region has never had one of their own as secretary-general and it is their turn.

A group of 56 nations has also been lobbying for the United Nations to get its first female chief.