Guyana’s UN Rep. pledges stronger push for peace if elected UN Secretary-General

– vows to “get the needle moving” on resolving global conflict

While acknowledging the complex geopolitical realities underpinning conflicts around the world, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett says she is committed to advancing efforts toward peaceful resolutions if she is successful in her bid to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Guyanese diplomat, who is seeking the prestigious post after being nominated by the Government of Guyana, made the remarks during a recent interview with the News Room.
Responding to questions about changing the image of the UN when it comes to addressing conflicts, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett reminded us that “the UN is all member states. The UN is us. “ She further highlighted that “we cannot underestimate the geopolitical realities as well. And it might not be the case that the UN is not trying, but there are other factors in this as well.”

Nevertheless, she explained that the Secretary-General can put forward proposals on how “we can move the needle a bit” with some of the ongoing conflicts. “I do believe, and this is why I put myself forward, that we can do more; that the Secretary-General can put forward proposals on how we can move the needle a bit with some of the conflicts that we face right now. Some of them are extremely difficult, but I think that when you decide to run for Secretary-General, you are preparing for the difficult,” she outlined.
“And I have seen in my time on the Security Council, where you have, for example, peacekeeping missions for decades and decades, and the political solution has not moved. And I think we need to work on those. And I believe we can work on those and use the moments, use the moments that are presented to us. The Secretary-General has at his or her disposal several tools, including the good offices process, mediation, and a number of tools. One of the things I have said is I would be prepared to make those suggestions, even if they ‘ re rejected, because we know the structure that we’re also operating in,” she added.
According to Rodrigues-Birkett, her approach to “thorny issues” has always been to encourage dialogue. “Some things that can’t happen in decades sometimes can happen in a very short space of time if you make an effort. And the UN is endowed with a lot of brilliant people, I believe too, on the ground. If you have the right team around you, giving you the right information, the right advice, and working, of course, with the Security Council, with the Member States concerned, and with regional organizations that might be involved, I think you can move the needle,” she noted.
“We have to be positive about this. War is not sustainable. Conflict is not sustainable. Peace is,” she affirmed. Beyond peace and security matters, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett reminded us that the UN is much more.
“The UN, I believe, has meant stability for this world. And as I’ve said in the interactive dialogue and in several places before, you cannot put a price on prevention. While there is conflict in many parts of the world, there’s also peace in many parts of the world. We are not able to see what it would have been like without the UN. The UN is not just about peace and security; it’s about development as well. You will hear countries speak about how the UN helped them to get to where they are at the moment, from conflict to peace to development. In our own country, Guyana, the UN was at our side since the early 1960s when we had the issue that still continues today with our neighbour. The good offices process, I believe, was a form of prevention. I believe in the UN. I really do believe in the UN. My work with FAO, my work as Minister of American Affairs, and my work in Foreign Affairs have shown me the benefit of the UN,” she highlighted.
“In fact, many people probably are not aware that one of the things we did when we were revising the Amerindian Act was to ask the UN to help us with best practices from across the world. They were able to bring that to us. So, I would say the UN is a force for good,” she added.
“You might not think that when you are flying in an airplane the UN is involved, but the safety of our skies is dealt with by the ICAO, which is a UN organisation. The food standards that we all agree to also live by, set by FAO and WHO, are also UN standards. Again, UNICEF for children, it’s the UN. UNDP on development is the UN. The UN is much more than just the Security Council that we tend to feel is not doing enough,” she further outlined.

Moreover, in response to commentary that the UN is just a talk shop, she emphasized that “talking saves lives; talking prevents war; talking is what diplomacy is about. I think we need to talk more, in fact.”
Another key approach, if selected to serve as UNSG, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said, is to get more young people involved. “We already have young people involved in the UN, but I think we need to have them more involved, not just as people to consult with, but as people to shape policies as well,” she noted.

Demanding Job
During the interview, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett recalled the moments leading up to her nomination for the job.
“This call for me to put myself forward came many, many months before. Many colleagues were asking me, ‘ Are you going to run? Are you going to run?’ I think it came from different perspectives. One, Guyana was very active here at the UN, even before we went on the Security Council. I was involved in co-facilitating three UN processes -that’s basically the negotiations by member states. And so, people get to know you a bit closer there. Then, once we were on the Security Council, representing Guyana, Guyana’s identity, diplomatic identity, and foreign policy identity became very clear to the world. So, I think this is where it came from. Colleagues were just asking, ‘ When will you do this?’ It took a long time for me to decide… Because it’s a demanding job, but it’s also one that requires quite a lot of you personally,” she outlined.
“And so, I thought, though, that I always encourage people to put their best foot forward. I should be an example in doing that myself and not just giving advice on it.”
According to the diplomat, she believes she has what it takes for the top position.
“I’ve learned that in these years, both as a foreign minister and here at the UN, to try to be calm. I think for a job like this, you need to be calm and collected because there are so many things happening all across the world that require your attention. You need to be focused. I have practiced that quite a bit over the years,” she explained.
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett also recognized what the position would mean not just for Guyana but for indigenous peoples. In fact, she was aware of her influence as a role model since her ascension to public life.
“Since I took on the role as Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, or, as we say in Guyana, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, I was well aware that this was not just about me, but that I was carrying the aspirations and the challenges of an entire people on my shoulders. At the age of 27, I was conscious of that. My mother reminded me about that – make sure you carry yourself in a particular way because all eyes are going to be on you. When you’re judged, it’s your entire group of indigenous peoples that would be judged,” she recalled.
But she noted that this new journey is more than just about one group of people.
“I would like to see this represent Guyana as a whole. I think our country is doing very well on the diplomatic scene right now, on the economic scene, and on the social scene. All eyes are on us, just as they were when we were on the Security Council. But I also want this for women across the world and for people like me who come from a rural area where there was no electricity. Up to the time I left Moruca, there was no electricity and no piped water, but you could still dream. We don’t know what is going to happen with this process, but just being nominated is a real honor and a privilege. So, I thank President Ali for doing this and the Government of Guyana,” she expressed.
While there was no defining moment in her childhood that set the stage for her life now, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett recalled the support from her parents and one particular teacher who helped guide her path to success.
“ Looking back now, I can see that I wanted to be someone who could speak on behalf of people. I used to be called upon in school quite a bit to do the ‘welcome’ whenever a president visited. I had to do a welcome address to President Hoyte and when ministers were visiting. I had to practice a lot. I wasn’t very good on stage. But I had a teacher, Bridget Daniels, who would say to me, ‘ Look over the heads of the audience, and then you will gain confidence. ‘ I practiced that for a long time. She said, ‘ One day you’ll be able to look into the eyes of people and speak. ‘ I think I’m at that stage now. Maybe, in some way, my early days with my teachers prepared me for this. But also, my father and mother always encouraged all of us to do our best.”
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 (UN), the Secretary-General (SG) is appointed by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
While the 15-member Council, particularly its five permanent members who may veto any candidate, plays 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 organization 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 Organization (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.