(Kaieteur News) – Guyana used this year’s observance of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to spotlight the critical role of women in global leadership while promoting the country’s bid to secure the United Nations’ top office.

Diplomats, government officials, development partners and other stakeholders gathered on June 24, under the theme “Women in Diplomacy: Culture, Soft Power and Inclusive Leadership” to celebrate the contributions of women to diplomacy and explored how culture and storytelling could strengthen international cooperation.

The event, jointly organised by the United Nations in Guyana, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and TEDx Turkeyen, also served as a platform to highlight Guyana’s nomination of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.