Guyana’s Ambassador advances UNSG bid in African outreach

Guyana’s candidate for United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG), Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has continued her diplomatic outreach in Africa, presenting her candidacy to senior officials from Cabo Verde, South Africa and Namibia. The engagements took place on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, according to the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN. Rodrigues-Birkett met with Cabo Verde’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities and Minister of National Defence, Ambassador Manuel Amante da Rosa, where she outlined her vision for a more agile, efficient and effective UN. Their discussions also focused on global food insecurity and the importance of investing in youth development. The Guyanese diplomat also met with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, to present her candidacy.

According to the Permanent Mission, the discussions addressed a range of issues affecting developing countries. Rodrigues-Birkett also outlined her approach to reforms within the authority of the SG, should she be elected. In a separate engagement, Rodrigues-Birkett presented her candidacy to Namibia’s President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The two discussed challenges facing developing countries, including obstacles to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rodrigues-Birkett’s engagements form part of her ongoing diplomatic campaign for the position of UNSG. Guyana formally nominated Rodrigues-Birkett for the post, with her candidacy placing her among those seeking to succeed current UNSG António Guterres when his second term ends in 2026. In 80 years since the founding of the UN, there have been nine SGs, but a woman has never held the post. If successful, Rodrigues-Birkett would make history as the first woman ever elected to serve as SG of the UN since the organisation was established in 1945. She would also be the first Caribbean national to hold the position. Rodrigues-Birkett has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020. In that capacity, she led Guyana’s participation during its Security Council tenure and played a key role in advancing the country’s positions on issues relating to international peace and security. Prior to her current post, Rodrigues-Birkett served as director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Liaison Office in Geneva from 2017 to 2020. She previously served as Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2015 and as Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008.