Guyana nominates Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN secretary general
President Irfaan Ali says Guyana’s permanent representative to the UN has the experience to become the first woman to lead the organisation.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana. Guyana, headquarters nation of the Caribbean Community, has entered the race to succeed António Guterres as secretary general of the United Nations, nominating Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, a former foreign minister and its permanent representative to the UN.
Mr Guterres retires at the end of this year, and the race to replace him is heating up as several nations put forward candidates.
There had been much talk that Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley would be the favoured candidate of the 15-nation CARICOM bloc. Ms Mottley, who is popular in UN circles, has yet to publicly indicate an interest.
Ali makes the case
Announcing the candidacy at the weekend, President Irfaan Ali argued that Ms Rodrigues-Birkett is properly qualified and has the credentials to become the first woman to head the organisation, which was formed more than 80 years ago.
“As a country that has demonstrated that economic development and environmental stewardship can advance hand in hand, Guyana has become a respected voice in global discussions on balancing growth, sustainability and equity,” Mr Ali said in an address to the nation.
“In my estimation, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett has acquired the experience, expertise, judgement and diplomatic skills necessary to perform ably and effectively carry out the duties of secretary general of the United Nations,” he said.
He added that the next secretary general must be able “to build trust among member states, strengthen confidence in multilateral institutions and lead the organization with vision.”
A crowded field
The surprise announcement came as a number of countries in the hemisphere step up lobbying for their candidates.
Ms Rodrigues-Birkett, 52, will face declared candidates including former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who has also served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan, who has headed the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); former Ecuadorian official María Fernanda Espinosa; Rafael Grossi, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency; and Macky Sall, a former president of Senegal.
The contest is being watched to see whether a woman will finally lead the world body.
