Guyana’s decision to nominate its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for the post of United Nations Secretary-General has elevated the country’s international profile, but political analyst Earl Manget believes the former foreign minister faces formidable hurdles in a race dominated by globally renowned statesmen and seasoned diplomats.

In a Facebook post, Manget described President Irfaan Ali’s nomination as an opportunity to showcase Guyana on the world stage, while cautioning that Rodrigues-Birkett’s quest for the UN’s highest office remains “a steep hill to climb.”

If elected, Rodrigues-Birkett would make history as the first woman to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations, succeeding António Guterres of Portugal when his second five-year term ends in December 2026.