Guyana’s candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has outlined a vision centred on strengthening multilateralism, modernising the UN’s peace and security architecture, advancing climate justice and increasing youth engagement as she participated in the first regional dialogue featuring Latin American and Caribbean candidates seeking the organisation’s top post.

The Regional Dialogue on the Future Leadership of the UN, hosted on Monday by Uruguay in its capacity as Pro Tempore President, brought together three of the seven officially declared candidates for the position, Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador and Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica.

The next UNSG will assume office on January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres.