HGP Nightly News – Guyana’s candidate for United Nations Secretary-General, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has argued that the UN must take a more visible and proactive role in addressing international conflicts, saying the organization cannot afford to be viewed as missing in action during moments of global instability.
Responding to questions from member states during an interactive dialogue on Thursday, Rodrigues-Birkett outlined how she would approach the office if selected to succeed António Guterres.
Addressing concerns raised by representatives of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, she said the UN should be prepared to engage early when warning signs of conflict emerge.
“As Secretary-General, I’d be willing to pick up the phone and call and speak with the parties concerned, especially when the information before me anticipates that something bad might happen,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
She indicated that preventive diplomacy would form a central part of her leadership approach, particularly at a time when multiple conflicts are unfolding around the world.
According to the Guyanese diplomat, the Secretary-General must be willing to use every tool available to help advance peace efforts, even when success is uncertain.
“Not being afraid to be rejected, not being afraid to fail, but always being ready and willing to make that call,” she stated.
Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that while governments and regional organizations often take leading roles in mediation efforts, the United Nations must remain actively engaged rather than appearing detached from events on the ground.
“The world must see that the UN is involved,” she said. “The UN is not franchising out peace and security.”
Her comments came during a question-and-answer session in which member states pressed candidates on issues ranging from conflict prevention and UN reform to financing, development and geographical representation within the organization.
Responding to questions from the Group of 77 and China, Rodrigues-Birkett identified implementation, rather than planning, as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“We have the blueprint,” she said. “The deficit is in implementation.”
She argued that inadequate access to financing remains a major challenge for developing countries and called for continued efforts to reform international financial institutions.
According to Rodrigues-Birkett, advancing development remains essential to maintaining global stability.
“Development is a vector for peace,” she said, emphasizing the links between development, human rights and peace and security.
She also pledged to pursue greater geographical representation within the UN system if appointed Secretary-General, noting that many developing countries remain underrepresented in senior positions.
Rodrigues-Birkett said recruitment decisions should continue to be guided by merit while ensuring opportunities for countries that have historically lacked representation.
She further voiced support for ongoing UN reform efforts, including the UN80 initiative launched under Guterres.
Describing the reform programme as a positive step, she said significant progress has already been made in improving efficiency and reviewing mandates across the organization.
However, she suggested that structural reforms could have the greatest long-term impact on how the UN serves member states and responds to emerging global challenges.
“My assessment of the UN80 proposal is a good assessment,” she said.
Rodrigues-Birkett is among the candidates seeking to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her remarks formed part of a series of public dialogues designed to allow member states and civil society organizations to assess candidates vying for the organization’s top post.
Throughout the exchange, the Guyanese diplomat repeatedly returned to the theme of engagement, arguing that the UN’s credibility depends not only on its policies and resolutions, but also on its willingness to act, engage and remain visible when the world faces its most pressing crises.
