MANHATTAN, New York – CARICOM countries are reaffirming their support for Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, as the Caribbean Community’s candidate for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.
The regional backing comes as the 81st United Nations General Assembly General Debate continues in New York, with several Caribbean leaders using their addresses to publicly endorse Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy and call for reforms to the global body.
CARICOM Heads of Government formally endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett in July, following Guyana’s nomination of her for the position. She currently serves as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and previously served as the country’s Foreign Minister.
During Friday’s (Sept. 25) General Debate, St Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley said the Federation was proud to join CARICOM in supporting the Guyanese diplomat.
“Saint Kitts and Nevis proudly joins CARICOM in endorsing Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana for the office of the United Nations Secretary-General,” Hanley said.
He said her understanding of the challenges facing developing countries reflected the type of leadership needed at the United Nations.
Hanley also pointed to the significance of her candidacy as an Indigenous woman from a small developing state, arguing that global leadership should not be determined by the size of a country.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley also expressed her support for Rodrigues-Birkett during her address to the General Assembly.
“At a moment when the international community is being called upon to renew its faith in multilateralism, we believe that Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett brings to this task the experience, the skills and the understanding to serve the entire membership of this organisation,” Mottley said.
Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre likewise endorsed the Guyanese diplomat while speaking about the leadership of outgoing Secretary-General António Guterres.
“Saint Lucia wishes to express its endorsement of the candidate of the Republic of Guyana, Miss Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the post of Secretary-General,” Pierre said.
He pointed to Rodrigues-Birkett’s record of public and international service and said Saint Lucia would work with like-minded countries to advance reforms within the United Nations.
The Bahamas and St Vincent and the Grenadines have also backed the Guyanese diplomat, consistent with CARICOM’s collective endorsement of her candidacy.
The support comes amid a closely watched selection process to replace Guterres, whose term ends this year. Rodrigues-Birkett is among the candidates seeking to become the United Nations’ next Secretary-General and, if selected, would become the first Caribbean national to hold the post.
There have also been reports that the United States could oppose her candidacy over Guyana’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The 81st General Assembly General Debate is scheduled to conclude on Monday, September 28.
