Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett outlines vision for stronger, more responsive United Nations

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, has outlined a vision for a more responsive, coordinated and effective United Nations, as she made the case for reform and stronger global action on peace, development and human rights.

Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett made the remarks while responding to questions from Egypt’s Al Qahera News Network on her candidacy for United Nations Secretary General on Monday, the challenges confronting the organisation and the ongoing UN80 reform process.

She said reform is essential to ensuring the United Nations remains capable of responding to the changing needs of countries and delivering more effectively on the ground.

“The question of reform has been answered with a loud yes that we need to reform the United Nations,” she said, noting that the process must strengthen the Secretariat, as well as the organisation’s agencies, funds and programmes.

According to Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett, greater attention must also be placed on the financing challenges confronting developing countries, particularly those facing high borrowing costs and mounting debt.

She said the international community must create greater access to development financing while supporting countries in strengthening their institutions and creating an environment conducive to private sector investment.

“Too many countries are paying too much to borrow, which will further put them into debt,” she said, adding that greater movement is needed to ensure countries can access the financing required to advance their development.

On international peace and security, Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett said the United Nations must be prepared to take meaningful action before conflicts escalate, stressing the importance of prevention and early intervention.

She said the organisation has an extensive presence on the ground and access to information that can help identify emerging threats, making early warning and timely intervention critical to preventing conflicts.

“As Secretary General, should I be appointed, I would certainly use all the tools at my disposal and not be afraid to take risks where those risks are worth taking,” she said.

Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett also addressed the links between conflict, food insecurity and climate change, pointing out that worsening climate conditions can increase food insecurity, drive population movements and deepen existing vulnerabilities.

She further called for greater participation by women in peace negotiations, noting that women remain underrepresented despite evidence that their involvement contributes to more sustainable peace outcomes.

On artificial intelligence, she advocated for international guardrails that protect people while allowing innovation to continue. She said AI must serve as a force for good and should not widen existing inequalities between countries and regions.

Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett also stressed the importance of climate finance, particularly for vulnerable countries that have contributed little to global emissions but face some of the most severe impacts of climate change.

She said a stronger United Nations must remain engaged in negotiations, support sustainable peace efforts and ensure that agreements reached outside the organisation are brought to the UN for legitimacy and validation.

The ambassador’s candidacy comes as the United Nations advances the UN80 reform process, with member states considering changes aimed at strengthening the organisation’s ability to respond to contemporary global challenges.

She said the next Secretary General will have an important role to play in advancing this reform agenda and ensuring the United Nations remains relevant to the needs of the international community.

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