(Kaieteur News) – Antigua and Barbuda has broken with several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries by backing Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa for the post of United Nations Secretary-General, while regional governments continue to rally behind Guyana’s candidate, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
Addressing world leaders during the UN General Assembly in New York, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Walton Alfonso Webson, announced his country’s support for Espinosa, a former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister and linguist.
The decision came as several CARICOM leaders publicly endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN and the Caribbean Community’s candidate for the top UN post. Rodrigues-Birkett is the first Guyanese and Caribbean national to be nominated for the position.
Ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Explaining Antigua and Barbuda’s position, Webson said the next Secretary-General would inherit a UN confronted by wars and conflicts, deep geopolitical divisions, financial constraints, the climate crisis and declining public trust. “The choice before us is about more than selecting an individual,” Webson said. “It is about the future direction of this Organization.”
He said Antigua and Barbuda had therefore nominated Espinosa, whom he described as a credible bridge-builder capable of restoring confidence in multilateralism at a time of global fragmentation. Webson also called for the UN80 reform process to be judged by whether the organisation ultimately serves people better.
For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), he said, this includes protecting the development pillar, implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS and ensuring that international support reaches vulnerable communities. He warned that trade disputes, tariffs and economic fragmentation were increasing the cost of food, transportation and development, with small states often bearing the consequences of disputes they did not create.
Webson urged major economies to rely on dialogue, cooperation and fairness in managing international finance. “A hurricane does not check GDP [gross domestic product] before destroying a school. A rising sea does not consult income classifications before entering a home or village,” he said.
He argued that the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index was therefore important because it provides a measure of the structural vulnerabilities of small states that GDP alone cannot capture. Recalling that the international community had gathered in Antigua and Barbuda two years ago to adopt a 10-year framework for sustainable development and resilience, Webson said the focus must now shift to implementation. “Now comes the real hard work — implementation,” he said, stressing the need for SIDS to move from vulnerability to resilience.
CARICOM backs Guyana
Meanwhile, CARICOM countries are continuing to reaffirm their support for Rodrigues-Birkett. CARICOM Heads of Government formally endorsed the Guyanese diplomat in July, following Guyana’s nomination of her for the post. Rodrigues-Birkett currently serves as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN and previously served as Foreign Minister.
During the General Debate, St Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley publicly endorsed her candidacy. “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 highlighted her understanding of the challenges confronting developing countries and the significance of her candidacy as an Indigenous woman from a small developing state. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley also voiced support for Rodrigues-Birkett, saying the Guyanese diplomat possessed the experience and understanding needed to serve the entire UN membership.
“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 Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre likewise endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett while discussing 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 cited her 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 Rodrigues-Birkett, in keeping with CARICOM’s collective endorsement.
The competing endorsements highlight a split within the Caribbean over the emerging candidates for the UN’s top diplomatic post. The selection process is being closely watched as Guterres prepares to leave office. Rodrigues-Birkett is among the candidates seeking to succeed him and, if selected, would become the first Caribbean national to serve as UN Secretary-General. There have also been reports that the United States could oppose her candidacy over Guyana’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Source: Kaieteur News
