World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett calls for UN reform as she seeks top post
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett is one of seven candidates to lead the United Nations after António Guterres leaves the post at the end of 2026.
The Guyanese diplomat, who has served as her country’s UN ambassador and as a government minister, says the organization needs major reform to meet today’s challenges.
She points to possible changes in the UN’s agencies and Secretariat, including reducing duplicated work and improving efficiency.
Friday’s vote will show the preferences of the Security Council’s five permanent members, which hold veto power.
Council members select a candidate to recommend, and the General Assembly then formally appoints the secretary-general.
Rodrigues-Birkett says not choosing a woman would send a negative signal for equality.
She also says she stands by international law and the UN Charter, despite what she describes as a campaign against her.
Guyana’s UN envoy Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett says the United Nations needs major reforms as she campaigns to become its next secretary-general.
She has called for changes to the UN Secretariat and its agencies, funds and programmes, as well as discussion of Security Council reform.
Seven candidates are seeking to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
A vote is scheduled for Friday, when the five permanent members of the Security Council will show their preferences for the first time.
Rodrigues-Birkett says not choosing a woman would send a negative signal for equality.
- Who
- Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s UN envoy and a candidate for secretary-general.
- What
- She is calling for UN reform while seeking to lead the organisation.
- When
- She made the reform remarks on October 16, 2026. A vote was scheduled for that Friday.
- Where
- At the Stimson Center in Washington; she also spoke to El País in her New York office.
- Why
- She says the UN must adapt to modern challenges and become more effective and efficient.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
António Guterres began his term as UN secretary-general.
Rodrigues-Birkett called for UN reform at the Stimson Center in Washington.
The five permanent Security Council members were due to show their preferences in a vote.
Guterres’s term is due to end.
The next secretary-general is due to begin the role.
- Candidate
- Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
- Country
- Guyana
- Candidates
- Seven are seeking the secretary-general post
- Term end
- December 31, 2026
- UN agencies, funds and programmes
- More than 35
3 sources
What people are saying
It has never been louder to call for reform, in my view
the structures of 1945 are relevant to 2026 realities
the organization, as it currently is, must change
if, in the end, a woman is not chosen, it would be a very negative signal for the cause of equality