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CARICOM backs Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary General
(Kaieteur News) – Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have expressed full support for Guyanese Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett in her candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.
President Irfaan Ali had announced that Guyana will formally nominate Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations when the term of current Secretary-General António Guterres ends on December 31, 2026.
In a release issued on Monday, CARICOM highlighted its commitment to multilateralism undergirded by the United Nations Charter and International Law, especially in the face of the pressing global challenges confronting the international community.
Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett at right during a recent meeting with CARICOM Heads of Government.
The community noted that a new Secretary-General of the United Nations is to be appointed during a particularly critical time for the world. They acknowledged with appreciation that several distinguished candidates have been nominated from Latin America and the Caribbean to fill the post.
According to the release, “the heads of government strongly welcomed Guyana’s nomination of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and expressed their full endorsement for her candidacy.”
Last month, President Ali made the announcement in a video statement posted to his page, that Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett would be a candidate applying to succeed Guterres.
The head of state tied the nomination directly to Guyana’s rising standing in international affairs.
“Over the past several years, Guyana has emerged 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.
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.
To this end, he 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, centers 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.
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