Latest update June 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
Guyana nominates Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary General – President Ali announces
DPI – Guyana has nominated, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to lead the UN as Secretary-General, putting her forward as the candidate who President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali described as fit and proper to lead the world body.
President Ali made the announcement on Friday night in a video statement posted to his page, positioning Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett to succeed Secretary General António Guterres, whose tenure ends on December 31, 2026.
President Irfaan Ali
The head-of-state tied the nomination directly to Guyana’s rising standing in international affairs.
“Over the past several years, Guyana has emerged as an influential voice on the global stage. Our successful election to the United Nations Security Council, and the successful completion of our 2024-2025 term on the body, have demonstrated to the world that Guyana can provide leadership at various levels of the global system,” he declared.
President Ali said Guyana can provide leadership at various levels of the global system, noting that throughout its 2024-2025 term on the UN Security Council, the country pressed consistently for peace, dialogue and respect for international law.
Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
He said Guyana had also carved out an increasingly prominent role on climate change, food and energy security, biodiversity, and the interests of small and developing states, arguing that the country has shown economic growth and environmental stewardship can move together.
Turning to the candidate, President Ali said Rodrigues-Birkett brings the depth of experience the office demands. She has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020 and led the country’s participation during its historic Security Council tenure.
“Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett has acquired the experience, expertise, judgement, and diplomatic skills necessary to perform ably and effectively carry out the duties of Secretary-General of the United Nations,” he affirmed.
Her career spans more than two decades in public service. She served as Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s liaison office in Geneva from 2017 to 2020, as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2015, and as Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008, where she championed the rights and welfare of Indigenous peoples.
Guyana’s president said the next Secretary-General must be able to build trust among Member States, restore confidence in multilateral institutions and lead with vision, qualities he said Rodrigues-Birkett has demonstrated throughout her career.
Her vision for the UN, he added, centres on strengthening multilateralism, making the organisation more effective and responsive, and keeping it capable of confronting conflict, climate change, food insecurity and emerging threats to peace and security.
“Accordingly, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will actively advocate for the candidature of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett and engage with Member States of the United Nations in support of our elections as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations,” President Ali affirmed.
The decision was made after “careful consideration, and in consultation with many colleagues” the president underscored.
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