CARICOM leaders reaffirmed support for Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as UN secretary-general. They say it is the region’s turn.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, saying it is time for a national of Latin America and the Caribbean to lead the world body.
In a statement issued Wednesday, CARICOM said its heads of government renewed their endorsement of Rodrigues-Birkett at the 44th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, held Oct. 23. The leaders first endorsed her candidacy in the communiqué of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference on July 10. CARICOM said it has confidence in her ability and integrity to lead the United Nations at a time of pressing global challenges and calls for institutional reform and renewal.
The Community highlighted her more than two decades of experience in fieldwork, legislative and political affairs, diplomacy and international civil service. It also pointed to her diplomatic skills and her ability to build consensus and drive change.
CARICOM urged the UN Security Council and General Assembly to uphold regional rotation in choosing the next leader, citing a Sept. 21 declaration on the selection process by the foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, issued in New York. The leaders said regional rotation is an important safeguard for all countries, particularly small states that want to contribute to the United Nations and its senior leadership. CARICOM acknowledged the support extended so far to candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean and thanked those backing Rodrigues-Birkett. It said the appointment of a woman from CARICOM as secretary-general would mark a historic new chapter for the United Nations and the world.
Information for this report was provided by Caribbean National Weekly, citing a CARICOM statement.