CARICOM reaffirms backing for Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as UN Secretary-General

October 28 2026

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has reaffirmed its full endorsement of Guyanese diplomat Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for the post of United Nations Secretary-General, calling for Latin America and the Caribbean to be given the opportunity to lead the global body amid mounting international challenges and calls for institutional reform.

In a statement issued on October 28, following its 44th Intersessional Meeting on October 23, CARICOM Heads of Government highlighted Rodrigues-Birkett’s more than two decades of experience in political, diplomatic and international civil service, while urging the UN Security Council and General Assembly to uphold equitable geographical representation and the principle of regional rotation in selecting the organisation’s next leader.

See full statement here:

“Statement from the Caribbean Community |

Selection process for the position of United Nations Secretary-General

At their 44th Intersessional Meeting held on 23 October 2026, the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) took note of developments in the ongoing process of selection for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. They reaffirmed the Community’s commitment to multilateralism undergirded by the United Nations Charter and International Law.

Heads of Government recalled and reaffirmed their decision to fully endorse the candidacy of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, a distinguished daughter of Guyana and the Caribbean, for the post of Secretary-General, as set out in the Communiqué of the Fifty-First Regular Meeting of the Conference, issued on 10th July 2026.

They affirmed their confidence in the ability and integrity of Ambassador Rodrigues- Birkett to effectively lead the United Nations in this season of pressing global challenges and needed institutional reform and renewal, in full consonance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In that regard, they called attention to her more than two decades of field, legislative, political, diplomatic and international civil service experience, and to her proven skills and diplomatic acumen as a change agent and consensus builder.

CARICOM Heads of Government further recalled the Declaration of the Foreign Ministers of CELAC[1] on the selection process for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations issued in New York on 21st September 2026.

They underscored the need for the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to uphold the principle of equitable geographical balance and honour the practice of regional rotation in the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General, as a critical safeguard for all states, especially small states aspiring to contribute to the work of the UN in its several dimensions, including through appointment to the highest offices within the Organization.

Accordingly, they shared the view that it is now time for a national of Latin America and the Caribbean to assume the mantle of leadership of the Organization.

CARICOM Heads of Government recognise the broad support so far extended to candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean. They expressed appreciation for the support extended to the CARICOM candidate, mindful that the selection of a CARICOM woman as Secretary-General would mark an historic new chapter for the United Nations and the world.”