Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Campaigns for UN Secretary General

Guyanese Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett is campaigning to become the Secretary General of the United Nations, marking the first time a Caribbean national and potentially the first woman has vied for the position. Currently serving as Guyana's permanent representative to the UN, she has received full endorsement from Caribbean community leaders.

Rodrigues-Birkett's platform focuses on reducing bureaucratic obstacles for developing nations to access recovery funds and improving climate financing. She argues that the UN is at a "critical crossroads" and requires updated implementation strategies to meet its sustainable development goals, stating that "the deficit is in implementation" and that the organization is "not short of commitments."

In a recent UN Security Council straw poll, Rodrigues-Birkett ranked second among seven candidates, trailing Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan. The selection process will continue through the end of the year, with the next poll scheduled for late August.