…urges Security Council, UN members to look beyond size of Guyana
(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday made a direct appeal to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to endorse Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as the next UN Secretary-General, urging world leaders to look past Guyana’s size and evaluate her candidacy on its merits.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, President Ali formally placed Rodrigues-Birkett’s nomination before the Security Council and the broader assembly, framing her candidacy as a historic opportunity to elect an Indigenous woman capable of restoring trust in a fractured multilateral system. “In the humblest of ways, I call on the P5, the Security Council, and every member here to look beyond the small country that nominated her,” President Ali said. “CARICOM as a body has endorsed her. And let us rise to the challenge of giving this Indigenous woman the chance of helping us craft together the United Nations we want to see succeed.”
Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
The Security Council, specifically its five permanent members, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia, holds the sole responsibility of recommending a Secretary-General candidate to the General Assembly for appointment. Highlighting her journey from a small Indigenous village, President Ali praised Rodrigues-Birkett’s rise against systemic odds, citing her background as foundational to her leadership style. “An Indigenous woman coming from a small Indigenous village, defying the odds.. the odds against Indigenous persons, the odds against women, the odds against poverty…defying every challenge and rising to the top amidst those challenges,” Ali stated. “Her character is built on struggle, sacrifice, and commitment. Her accomplishments are crafted in her humanity.”
Rodrigues-Birkett, who serves as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN and previously held positions as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, brings extensive diplomatic and policy experience to the nomination. President Ali argued that the UN requires leadership capable of bridging deep global divides between the Global North and South, as well as developed and developing nations. “We need a Secretary-General who will defend the Charter not only when it is politically convenient, but precisely when its principles are under pressure,” President Ali added, urging UN representatives to consider her record of service and commitment to the international order. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has formally endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett, unifying regional support behind her campaign as deliberations for the UN’s top post approach.
Earlier this week the New York Times reported that the contest to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has become increasingly complicated with the United States reportedly opposed to Rodrigues-Birkett. According to the newspaper, Washington has indicated that it would block Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy because of her public position on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which she has described as genocide. Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and a former Foreign Minister, has been one of the strongest contenders in the race. She emerged as the leading candidate in the Security Council’s second informal straw poll but slipped narrowly behind Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan in the third round.
The latest poll gave Grynspan nine “encourage” votes, five “discourage” votes and one “no opinion.” Rodrigues-Birkett received eight “encourage” votes, six “discourage” votes and one “no opinion.” Because the voting is conducted secretly, the identities of the countries casting the negative votes have not been disclosed. The secretary-general must secure at least nine votes in the 15-member Security Council and, critically, cannot receive a veto from any of its five permanent members: the United States, China, Russia, Britain or France. The issue of Gaza has been a significant element of Rodrigues-Birkett’s diplomatic record at the United Nations. In 2024, while addressing the Security Council on behalf of Guyana, she said there was “a veritable genocide taking place in Gaza.” The NYT report identifies that position as the reason for Washington’s reported opposition to her candidacy.
The United States has not publicly endorsed another candidate. A State Department official said Washington was seeking someone who would pursue substantial reform of the UN, improve management and significantly streamline the organisation. The United States is not alone in signalling opposition to particular candidates. Russia has reportedly indicated that it would veto Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, because of disagreements over his handling of the dispute surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during the Russia-Ukraine war.
The United States had also opposed Michelle Bachelet, the former Chilean president and former UN human rights chief, over her positions on abortion. Bachelet subsequently withdrew from the race. administration has vetoed a resolution calling for an end to the war in Gaza since Israel’s military offensive began in October of last year.”
The first poll in July showed Grynspan narrowly ahead and the second vote last month placed n Rodrigues Birkett in the top spot. Eight candidates are vying to succeed Antonio Guterres, who steps down at the end of this year after two five-year terms. It is still possible for more candidates to enter the race, Reuters reported on Sunday. Richard Gowan, director of global issues and institutions at the International Crisis Group, said neither Grynspan nor Rodrigues Birkett seem to be able to make a decisive breakthrough and “it is time for some of the weaker candidates to bow out of the race.” “I think these figures may encourage any additional candidates who are waiting in the wings to jump into the race quite soon,” said Gowan.
Source: Kaieteur News
