Guyana’s Rep Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett seeks EU backing for a UN Secretary General bid

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, engaged Heads of Missions of the European Union (EU) Member States as she forges ahead in her bid for the Secretary General (SG) of the United Nations (UN) post.

The Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, in a social media post, stated that the meeting was chaired by the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the UN, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis.
The missive added that during the exchange, Rodrigues-Birkett outlined her vision for the Office of the UNSG and her approach to advancing the United Nations across its three pillars.
In addition, she spoke candidly about the experiences that have shaped her leadership and inspired her decision to put her name forward, including her journey from a small Indigenous community in Guyana to an activist Government Minister and international civil servant, working consistently to improve people’s lives.
The missive stated that “In responding to the questions raised, she underscored her commitment to building a more effective, responsive, and results-orientated United Nations that delivers for people everywhere; a United Nations that learns from the past, is fit for the present, and is ready for the future.”
Rodrigues-Birkett expressed gratitude to the European Union Member States for their thoughtful engagement, warm encouragement, and continued interest in her candidacy.
She also reaffirmed her commitment to working in partnership with the European Union and its Member States once elected.
President Dr Irfaan Ali last month nominated Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to succeed the UN’s current SG, António Guterres, whose tenure ends on December 31, 2026.
Ali stated that 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.
Days after the endorsement, she presented her “practical and realistic” vision for the UN should she be appointed to the helm of the 193-member body.
She pointed out that there is a growing sense of frustration that the UN is not delivering as it should despite Member States’ strong commitment to make the body “truly fit for purpose”.
Among the areas she outlined that needed focus were the sloth of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as well as reforms aimed at strengthening the UN’s work, especially as it relates to addressing global conflicts.
She further underscored the need for the UN to do things differently and better for the future, including improving efficiencies in the secretariat as well as how the organisation treats mandates and its structural alignment – all of which she noted will have a positive impact system-wide.
She had told the General Assembly that if appointed to the post, she would work hand in hand with the 193 Member States of this organisation and its staff, as well as in partnership with regional and sub-regional organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve the shared objective.
Meanwhile, as recently as last Wednesday, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd has lobbied the Organisation of American States (OAS) for their support of Guyana’s candidate, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) position.
Five official candidates are running to succeed António Guterres as the next UNSG, whose five-year term begins on January 1, 2027. According to the United Nations, the SG is appointed by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. While the 15member Council and particularly its five permanent members, who may veto any candidate, play a decisive role in shaping the recommendation, the appointment is ultimately made by the Assembly. In the 80 years since the founding of the UN, there have been nine SGs, but a woman has never held the post. If successful, Rodrigues-Birkett would make history as the first woman ever elected to serve as SG of the UN since the organisation was established in 1945. She would also be the first Caribbean national to hold the position.
Rodrigues-Birkett has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020. In that capacity, she led Guyana’s participation during its Security Council tenure and played a key role in advancing the country’s positions on issues relating to international peace and security. Prior to her current post, Rodrigues-Birkett served as director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Liaison Office in Geneva from 2017 to 2020. She previously served as Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2015 and as Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008.