Caribbean Leaders Rally Behind Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General Post

This opinion piece argues that Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett was entered late into the race for UN Secretary-General, leaving her with less time and support than rivals, yet she has still performed well in straw polls. It says her campaign may also be raising her profile for a possible future run for Guyana’s presidency, whether or not she wins the UN post.

Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett remains in the race for UN secretary general after a Friday straw poll showed all seven candidates were discouraged by at least one permanent Security Council member, effectively vetoing them. She placed second to Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, while Guyana says Rodrigues-Birkett would be guided by the UN Charter and international law, especially on Palestine.

Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan remains the frontrunner in the UN race to replace Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after a Security Council straw poll, though her support slipped slightly to 9 “encourage” votes. The contest matters because the next UN chief will face wars, funding cuts and declining U.S. backing, and Grynspan could become the first woman to lead the organization.

Guyana’s UN Secretary-General nominee Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett suffered her worst Security Council straw poll yet on October 7, falling to third place with five support votes and nine against. Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan still leads, but the race remains unsettled as no candidate has yet secured the nine votes needed without a permanent-member veto.

Guyana’s UN Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said she stands by calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide,” despite reports that the United States may oppose her bid to become UN Secretary-General. She said her remarks reflected Guyana’s commitment to the UN Charter, international law and peaceful solutions, and that she would not abandon those principles.

Guyana’s UN Secretary-General candidate, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, is campaigning on peace, inclusion and a stronger UN that delivers “peace outcomes” amid rising global conflict. Her message has sharpened attention on Guyana’s own disputes over political representation, accountability and freedom of expression, with opposition, civil society and international observers calling for more inclusive governance.

Antigua and Barbuda has broken with most CARICOM states by backing Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa for UN Secretary-General, while the bloc continues to support Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. The split matters because Rodrigues-Birkett could become the first Caribbean national to lead the UN, and the race comes as member states debate multilateral reform and global instability.

CARICOM leaders used the UN General Assembly to back Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General, calling her experience and representation as a Caribbean woman overdue at the top of the organisation. She trails Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan in the latest Security Council straw poll, while reports say the United States may block her candidacy over comments on Palestine.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has backed Guyana’s UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General, saying she has the experience and skills to serve the whole membership. She also reaffirmed Barbados’ support for Guyana’s ICJ case against Venezuela over the border dispute, calling the Caribbean a zone of peace.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has backed Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General, reinforcing CARICOM support for the bid. But the campaign faces a major hurdle: reported U.S. opposition could trigger a Security Council veto, and Rodrigues-Birkett still fell short in the latest straw poll, despite the chance to become the first Caribbean woman to lead the UN.

President Irfaan Ali urged the UN Security Council’s permanent members to back Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as the next UN Secretary-General, saying CARICOM has already endorsed her and that her Indigenous background and experience make her a strong candidate. The appeal comes as the U.S. reportedly opposes her over her description of Israel’s Gaza offensive as genocide, a stance that could block her path in the 15-member Council.

President Irfaan Ali urged the UN Security Council and member states to back Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett for Secretary-General, saying her experience, integrity and leadership suit a time of conflict and mistrust. He said CARICOM has endorsed her and cast her candidacy as a chance for small states, Indigenous people and developing countries to have a stronger voice at the UN.