Guyana pushes for permanent seats for Africa, Latin America, Caribbean in UN Security Council

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, on Friday advocated for Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean to be represented in the permanent category of the United Nations Security Council when she delivered a statement on behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) during the Second Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform, held at the United Nations General Assembly.
Delivering the statement on behalf of the fourteen Caricom member states, Rodrigues-Birkett also called for guaranteed representation for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across all regions, as the conversation continued on the need for the modernisation of the Security Council to better reflect global realities and ensure equitable geographic representation.

Caricom acknowledges the various models of reform that have been put forward by member states and groups of member states. Caricom is among those who advocate for the expansion of the permanent category of membership to address the anomaly where two of the five regions of the United Nations are not represented. We further advocate that any new permanent member has the same prerogatives as current permanent members,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
“We underscore the legitimate expectation that Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean would have representation in the permanent category of the Security Council and that SIDS across all regions would be guaranteed representation.”
The meeting formed part of the broader two-year IGN process established under the 80th session of the General Assembly to generate convergence among member states on Security Council reform, including geographic representation and membership categories.
The plenary session continued discussions under the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on the Question of equitable representation on an increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council. Delegates examined proposals for expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, as well as longer-term membership options, including the possible creation of a third category of seats.
Deliberations reflected sharply divergent national positions. Rodrigues-Birkett highlighted Caricom’s commitment to dialogue and consensus-building. “Caricom acknowledges, however, that there are proposals that conflict with ours, hence the question of how we can build consensus around a single approach. On this latter note, Caricom continues to underscore the utility of continued dialogue among member states to identify the points of flexibility,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
However, she underscored that “real consensus around a single approach would only emerge if that dialogue is structured in a way to produce measurable and binding outcomes. We therefore respectfully urge the co-chairs to continue considering how the IGN could move in this direction.”
She noted that towards the possibility of developing a compromise or hybrid model, the establishment of the IGN presupposes that member states would reach such an agreement, facilitated by a structured process.
“Caricom underscores that any such model would have to satisfy the core elements of the positions and proposals that Member States advocate in the IGN,” she said.
“Caricom acknowledges the aspirations elaborated in the IGN on this point, including our own proposal for a dedicated SIDS seat. Each of these proposals must be examined on its merit, including by considering whether the existing modalities for equitable geographic representation are enough to give the concerned countries the consistency of representation that they seek.”
The discussions at the IGN focused on proposals to expand both permanent and non-permanent membership, as well as potential longer-term “fixed regional seats” or a third category of membership. Rodrigues-Birkett also stressed the importance of legitimacy and credibility in the selection process.
“Caricom is of the view that the selection process should enjoy the widest possible support of Member States to ensure both credibility and legitimacy. Consequently, the General Assembly’s role in the process is critical.”
Deliberations reflected sharply divergent national positions, with discussions unfolding through formal plenaries and informal consultations aimed at identifying pathways toward a more representative and legitimate Security Council.
“Caricom continues to advocate that a review mechanism be established along with any reform of the Security Council to assess all aspects of the reform as agreed. This review should take place within 10-15 years of the implementation of the reform. The scope and objectives of that review should be clearly established at the time of the reform, premised on the approach that the intention would not be to reverse the reform,” Rodrigues-Birkett stated.