Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Candidate for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett has outlined her vision for the United Nations, should she be elected to lead one of the world’s most important multinational organisations.
During an interactive dialogue this morning with Delegates and Member States of the United Nations and International Civil Society leaders, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett paid tribute to previous Secretaries General of the UN, saying that their work over the last 80 years has guided the institution. But, she noted that the UN is now at a critical stage where it must be reformed.
“The appointment of the next Secretary General comes at a critical moment for the United Nations. The global landscape has changed, and the tools required to guide the organization must likewise evolve. The vision that I have outlined, is principled, pragmatic and responsible to the needs of the organization,” she noted.
Last week, President Irfaan Ali announced his nomination of Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, and said he believes she is well-positioned to lead the organization.
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett told the gathering that during the last five years at the UN, including one year on the Security Council, she listened to the perspectives of members and engaged with the wider international community on a number of issues concerning the United Nations.
She said there is a general feeling that the United Nations is not delivering as it should, and there is a need to make the UN fit for purpose.
“Even though we have heard these words many times before, this ambition goes beyond rhetoric. Coming from a small developing state and in my previous portfolios, I have seen first-hand the value of the United Nations in the lives of people all over the world including in my own country, “she noted.
Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said the UN is still relevant today, and many still look to the institution for guidance and peace.
“The UN has set global standards on a broad spectrum of issues, from decolonization to dispute resolution, from the safety of our skies to regulating our oceans, from poverty reduction to disease prevention, improved access to education, cultural preservation and humanitarian responses. No country is untouched by the work of the United Nations,” Ambassador noted.
The Guyanese Permanent Representative to the UN said while it is important to highlight the shortcomings of the UN, its impact cannot be understated, noting that it must now position itself to confront a number of global challenges.
“I said all of this, because I believe in the United Nations, it is indispensable, it is incomparable and it is force for global good, it is also though, because of my strong belief in the United Nations that I am compelled to be realistic in its challenges. The proliferation of conflicts and crisis, the slow pace in achieving the SDG’s and the ongoing crisis facing the organization are just three examples of what confronts us today. It is a fact that the UN needs to do things differently and better,” the Ambassador said.
At the end of this year, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett is expected to face off with Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda of Ecuador, Radael Grossi of Argentina, Rebecca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Macky Sal of Senegal for the top United Nations position.
Rodrigues-Birkett is a former Government Minister in Guyana, who also worked at the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
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