“I will lead with principle and purpose” – Guyana’s Ambassador on UNSG campaign

Guyana’s candidate for the post of United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has pledged to provide practical and principled leadership if she is selected to the organisation’s highest office. She made the remarks during a Regional Dialogue convened by Uruguay in its capacity as Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), where she joined other candidates in the running for the UNSG position from the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region in a dialogue on the future leadership of the global body. According to Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, there have been clear calls for a Secretary General (SG) who can increase confidence in the UN, manage geopolitical divisions, lead credible reforms and ensure that there is greater impact on the ground. “I would certainly ensure that we have continuous reform so that the secretariat is not only effective and efficient, but that it is also closer to member states. And on the bigger reforms, the structural reforms, if this is completed by January when the new Secretary General takes office, and if that Secretary General is me, then it would be just a matter of implementation of those reforms,” she explained.
In this regard, the Guyanese diplomat noted, “and so I would have the role of providing to member states the information that they need, the objective information that they need, so that they will make informed decisions on the structural reform. This is very important because the United Nations could look very different to what it is now. And in making those decisions, the information provided should be very objective.” “I intend to also provide leadership that is practical, that is inclusive and that is pragmatic, but that is always principled,” she added.

Right moment LAC region
During the session, Rodrigues-Birkett also explained why she believes this is the right moment for the LAC to lead the UN. “It is our turn and we have largely upheld this rotation…we do not lack the competence or the leadership skills, five of us have been nominated,” she posited. She added that, “Latin America and the Caribbean faces a number of challenges that require global decisions to address them.”
The UNSG candidate explained that these include the threats to peace and security, including transnational organised crime and climate change. “Many of the frontline countries facing the difficult impacts of climate change in our region. And this is why we have to ensure that multilateralism works because it is multilateralism that will enable us all to address these global challenges. As Secretary-General, this is what I will do… work to strengthen multilateralism, to bridge divides and to ensure that the United Nations has the confidence the world wants to see,” she further posited.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett also highlighted experiences and contributions from the region that would help in strengthening a rules-based international order founded on respect for human rights. “Indeed, our region of Latin America and the Caribbean is diverse and is beautiful, as it is complex. Some of us have gained independence over 200 years ago, others, especially in the Caribbean, just over 60 years ago. But the contribution that I would like to underscore for the purposes of this discussion is the region’s leadership and tradition of the peaceful resolution of disputes,” she said. “Indeed, it is the Latin American and Caribbean region that is credited with the first international court in the history of adjudication. And you would notice the Central American Court of Justice, even though it was not permanent, it has that distinction. And we also have the 1948 Pact of Bogota, which required the signatories to that to seek solutions at the regional level, using those mechanisms and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Several of our countries have utilised the ICJ, but also regional mechanisms, such as CARICOM and the OAS. And so by and large, the region has adhered to the UN Charter when it comes to the peaceful resolution of disputes. And even if some of those disputes continue, we have an understanding that we will not resort to conflict,” she added. According to the UNSG candidate, if appointed SG, these are experiences from the region she would embrace as her guide.
“I will utilise all the tools at the disposal of the Secretary General to end and to prevent conflicts. I will speak to those who are the conflict parties, but also those who have influence on them. And I will also work with regional organisations, because we have a number of regional organisations and countries now working on mediation in different parts of the world. But I will also ensure that human rights is upheld across all the operations of the United Nations, because this is extremely important,” she noted.
Youth
Ambassador Rodriques-Birkett also shared her plans for the involvement of more young people at the UN, noting that this matter will be a priority, noting that as SG, “I will continue to engage young people. I would communicate clearly about the work, the good work, and the impact of the United Nations, and the role that young people can play in strengthening multilateralism and human rights, including by leveraging the digital space for good.”
“That would involve carefully filtering and analysing the deluge of information that is now at the fingertips of young people in order for them to advocate what is right. I would also ensure, finally, that the youth office has a robust communication position with youth so that they can be more engaged in the global discussion,” she further noted.

Climate action
The Guyanese diplomat also explained how she would reconcile climate action, the reduction of inequalities, and the development of aspirations of the Global South if elected to serve as UNSG. “If I’m appointed Secretary General, of course, I will continue to advocate for the commitments made on the Paris Agreement to be met, and on other agreements as well, including on finance, climate finance, especially for the most vulnerable. And I will also use my convening power to partner with the international financial institutions. Even if we make incremental steps, particularly looking at vulnerability, that will have a systemic effect across developing countries. I think this would be a good thing,” she outlined. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett added that, many of the countries in the world, including in the LAC region, face high indebtedness, but also difficulties in terms of access to concessional financing.
“And so, this is an urgent priority. But let me also add that we must recognise that fossil fuels, given where we are with the transition to clean energy, will continue to be used for some time. And it is important for all of us, member states, United Nations agencies, and industry, to engage meaningfully and to find the right balance to protect both people and planet while achieving our development aspirations, and while not stifling creativity and innovation in technology. But I will also be an advocate for the climate benefits and the development benefits of forests. This is our Latin American and Caribbean region’s strength as well, the way how we manage forests. And so, these are some of the things that I believe we must consider as we find that right balance,” she explained. The other candidates are María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda; Rafael Mariano Grossi, nominated by Argentina; Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, nominated by Costa Rica and former Senegalese President Macky Sall, nominated by Burundi. The SG is appointed by the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the recommendation of the Security Council. While the Council, particularly its five permanent members with veto power, plays a decisive role in recommending a candidate, the final appointment is made by the General Assembly.
If selected, Rodrigues-Birkett would become the first woman to serve as UNSG since the organisation was established in 1945, as well as the first Caribbean national to hold the post.
Rodrigues-Birkett has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020. She previously served as Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Liaison Office in Geneva from 2017 to 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2015, and Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008.