Guyana’s candidate for the position of secretary-general of the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, says the global organisation must evolve to meet the increasingly complex international challenges as she outlined her vision for a more agile, responsive and effective global body.
Rodrigues-Birkett, who is seeking to become the first ever Caribbean Community (CARICOM) national to hold the post of secretary general since the UN was established on October 24, 1945, spoke to member states and civil society during the interactive dialogue on her candidacy. Guyana’s permanent representative to the United Nations said the appointment of the next secretary general comes at a defining moment for the institution.
‘The global landscape has changed, and the tools required to guide the organisation must likewise evolve,’ Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said, describing her vision as one that is ‘principled, pragmatic and responsive to the needs of the organisation,’ and grounded in strengthening the UN’s founding values while improving how it functions.
She said that over the last five years at the UN, where she served also on the UN Security Council, she has engaged extensively with member states and observed growing concern that the institution is not delivering at the level expected.
At the same time, she said countries remain committed to ensuring the organisation becomes ‘truly fit for purpose.’
Coming from a small developing state, Rodrigues-Birkett reflected on witnessing first-hand the impact of the United Nations across communities worldwide and in Guyana itself, pointing to the organisation’s longstanding contributions to decolonisation, peacebuilding, humanitarian action, poverty reduction, public health, education and international cooperation.
‘The United Nations is indispensable. It is incomparable, and it is a force for global good,’ she said, while recognising that despite those achievements the organisation faces mounting pressures, including rising conflicts and crises, slow progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ongoing financial constraints.
She said the UN80 reform agenda reflects the reality that the organisation must improve efficiency, strengthen structural alignment and modernise the way mandates are implemented.
Rodrigues-Birkett pledged that if elected as secretary general, she would work closely with all 193 member states, UN staff, regional institutions and civil society to ensure balanced delivery across peace and security, development and human rights.
She committed to maintaining an open and accessible leadership approach and ensuring the UN remains central to addressing global challenges.
‘To advance this vision, I have pledged to be proactive in engaging member states…and to ensure that the United Nations is not on the periphery of issues that have global impact,’ she stated.
‘I do believe that I’m ready for the task ahead,’ she said, reflecting on her experience as Guyana’s former minister of foreign affairs, former minister of Amerindian affairs, international civil servant and permanent representative.
Closing the dialogue after responding to questions from delegations, Rodrigues-Birkett said her approach throughout the engagement was intentionally grounded in practicality and realism.