Guyana lobbies OAS to back Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd has lobbied the Organisation of American States (OAS) for their support of Guyana’s candidate for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) position, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. Todd made the call during his address to the 56th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the OAS, in Panama City, Panama on Wednesday last.

“It is our hope that as many of the respective Governments as possible would be able to support our candidature, which focuses on reasserting, reforming, and rallying our United Nations,” the Minister said.

Five official candidates are running to succeed António Guterres as the next UNSG, whose five-year term begins on January 1, 2027.

According to the United Nations (UN), the Secretary General (SG) is appointed by the 193 member General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. While the 15‑member Council and particularly its five permanent members, who may veto any candidate, plays a decisive role in shaping the recommendation, the appointment is ultimately made by the Assembly.

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.