Guyana is seeking the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) seat and has decided to nominate former Foreign Affairs Minister and current Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the position.
This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in a video statement on Friday evening. The tenure of current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will end on December 31, 2026.
According to President Ali, “This decision comes against the background of Guyana’s rising international profile, and is consistent with its long-standing commitment to strengthening the multilateral system at a time when the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.”
“Over the past several years, Guyana has emerged as an influential voice on the global stage. Our successful election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and the successful completion of our 2024-2025 term on the body, have demonstrated to the world that Guyana can provide leadership at various levels of the global system.”
Having demonstrated that economic development and environmental stewardship can advance hand-in-hand, the Head of State noted that Guyana has become a respected voice in global discussions on balancing growth, sustainability, and equity. This, he explained, coupled with other factors, influenced the country’s move to formally bid for the UNSG seat.
The Guyanese Leader believes that the nomination of Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett will continue Guyana’s tradition of international engagement and service.
“In my estimation, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett has acquired the experience, expertise, judgment, and diplomatic skills necessary to perform ably and effectively carry out the duties of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Ambassador Rodrigues Burkett currently serves as Guyana’s permanent representative to the United Nations, a position she has held since 2020. In that capacity, she spearheaded Guyana’s participation during its historic tenure on the Security Council from 2024 to 2025 and played a leading role in advancing Guyana’s position on matters relating to international peace and security. Her work on the Council has demonstrated her capacity for leadership, consensus-seeking, and engagement with a broader range of international stakeholders. She possesses deep institutional knowledge of the United Nations system including its principal organs, agencies, programs, and specialised institutions.”
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