UNSG campaign: “It is our turn” – Guyana’s Ambassador makes case for Latin America to lead UN 

Guyana’s candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has outlined a vision centred on strengthening multilateralism, modernising the UN’s peace and security architecture, advancing climate justice and increasing youth engagement as she participated in the first regional dialogue featuring Latin American and Caribbean candidates seeking the organisation’s top post.
The Regional Dialogue on the Future Leadership of the UN, hosted on Monday by Uruguay in its capacity as Pro Tempore President, brought together three of the seven officially declared candidates for the position, Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador and Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica.
The next UNSG will assume office on January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres.
Responding to questions on why the region should produce the next SG, Rodrigues-Birkett said the time had come for Latin America and the Caribbean to lead the organisation.
“Why is it important for Latin America and the Caribbean for a national from our region to take this position? The answer is simple. It is our turn, and we have largely upheld this rotation. Secondly, we do not lack the competence or leadership skills. Five of us have been nominated, and I’m pleased that I received the nomination of my president and my Government and also the endorsement of CARICOM,” Rodrigues-Birkett noted.
“Latin America and the Caribbean face a number of challenges that require global decisions to address them. This includes the threats to peace and security, including transnational organised crime and climate change. 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 works for everyone.”
Addressing the evolving nature of global security threats, Rodrigues-Birkett argued that the UN must adapt to changing realities, including the rise of internal conflicts and emerging technologies.
“If there is one region that knows the full spectrum of threats to our individual and collective peace and security, it’s the Latin American and Caribbean region. But one thing is clear: we cannot overcome them alone. Regional and international cooperation are vital,” Rodrigues-Birkett noted.
“Second, the United Nations must adapt its peace and security operations and assistance to Member States to adequately respond to the challenges we face today. While there remain a high number of interstate conflicts, internal conflicts are on the rise, and, with the use of technology including social media, AI, drones and 3D printing of weapons, the picture is becoming increasingly complex. So our views and response to international peace and security must fit these various contexts. Finally, the United Nations plays an important role in strengthening public institutions through policy guidance, capacity building and technical assistance, and as Secretary General I would ensure that the staff and the resources of the United Nations system are geared to the needs of Member States.”

Rebuilding confidence
On rebuilding confidence among young people in the UN, Rodrigues-Birkett highlighted the importance of greater youth participation and clear communication.
“I also encourage my Government to include young people in their delegation to meetings at the United Nations, and I’m very happy to say that one of those young people came back this year to the United Nations as a Government Minister in President Ali’s cabinet.
“As Secretary General, I will continue to engage young people. I would communicate clearly about 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,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
Speaking on human rights and the rules-based international order, Rodrigues-Birkett pointed to the region’s long-standing commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
“Our region of Latin America and the Caribbean is as diverse and beautiful as it is complex. 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,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
“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. If appointed Secretary General, I would take that with me from my region, and I will utilise all the tools at the disposal of the Secretary General to end and to prevent conflicts.”

Human rights
Rodrigues-Birkett vowed to ensure that human rights are upheld across all the operations of the UN.
“In discussions with Member States from across the world, what I’ve heard is that we must pay equal attention to all three pillars of the United Nations, peace and security, development and human rights. This would be emphasised should I be appointed Secretary General, while catering to the different situations and contexts and applying the tools available to me,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
On climate change and sustainable development, Rodrigues-Birkett said balancing development needs with climate action would remain one of the defining challenges for the international community.
“As emissions increase and adverse climate impacts also increase, we still have over 650 million people without electricity. More than 500 million of those live in sub-Saharan Africa. If I’m appointed Secretary General, I will continue to advocate for the commitments made under the Paris Agreement to be met, including on climate finance, especially for the most vulnerable. Many countries in the world, including in our region, face high indebtedness but also difficulties in terms of access to concessional financing,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
“We must recognise that fossil fuels, given where we are with the transition to clean energy, will continue to be used for some time. It is important for all of us, member states, UN 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.”

Guyana is proud of Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, George Talbot, delivered remarks at the event on behalf of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, expressing Guyana’s confidence in Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy.
Talbot said the next SG would assume office during one of the most challenging periods in the organisation’s history.
“The next Secretary General will face a plethora of complex challenges, currently the highest number of conflict situations since World War II, geopolitical tensions on the rise and multilateralism under stress. We are falling behind on the SDGs. The existential climate crisis remains unmitigated. Human rights and democratic values are threatened in many parts of the globe, and, in this scenario, the promise of the UN Charter and the imperative of international law have never been more urgent. The next Secretary General will be called upon to ensure that the UN remains relevant and integral to the global response to these challenges,” he said.
He noted that the region could take pride in the calibre of candidates seeking the post.
“As a region, we can take pride in the pool of candidates that have been nominated. We can also be encouraged by the initial indications coming out of the UN Security Council, which point in the direction of a female Secretary General from Latin America and the Caribbean. This is in keeping with the advocacy of our community,” Talbot said.
Expressing Guyana’s support for its nominee, Talbot said, “Guyana is especially proud to have nominated Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, in whom Guyana and CARICOM have the fullest confidence. Through her dynamic and distinguished career in public service at both the national and international levels, she has demonstrated her capacity to respond to a variety of challenges and situations.”