President Irfaan Ali has nominated Guyanese Caroyn Rodrigues Birkett for the United Nations Secretary General (SG) position which becomes vacant on January 1; the election (selection or appointment) takes place months before that date. Ms Birkett is currently Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN. The candidacy should be supported irrespective of party affiliation.
The vacancy has been advertised (letter signed from the President of the Security Council and the President of General Assembly sent out to member states to nominate a candidate). The position normally goes to a very senior diplomat or foreign minister or (former) head of government (state) with many years of experience in foreign affairs or governance. A national from one of the five permanent members (Russia, America, France, UK, China) of the Security Council (SC) is not qualified for the position. The position rotates by region – Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. It is Latin America’s turn to hold the position. So Guyana’s nominee is qualified. The last and only time a Latino held the position was Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru. The term for SG is five years. Generally, the SG serves two terms. Ms. Birket has met several of the criteria for the position. Can Guyana’s nominee overcome several insurmountable challenges? Sir Shridat Surendranath Ramphal’s name made the round over four decades ago (1981) but was rejected in favor of Javier Perez; Ramphal was amply qualified for the position.
A successful nominee must be acceptable by the five permanent members (P-5) of the Security Council (SC) which also has ten non-permanent members (NPM). The NPM rotates every two years. Of the ten NPM, one is reserved for Latin America and one for the Caribbean. Guyana served as NPM from Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025. Trinidad and Tobago has been elected as NPM from Jan 1. A minimum of nine is required for the SG job. At least four of the NPM must support a nominee for SG plus the P5. Can Ms. Birkett win over all P5?
Countries usually lobbied other nations to back their candidate. It is unlikely that the Caribbean will oppose Guyana’s nomination. The competition will come from Latin American nations. Will they put up a nominee? A Peruvian previously served as SG; so it is out of contention although it is free to put up a nominee. Other nations like Brazil and Argentina or even Mexico may make a nomination.
President Ali’s challenge will be to convince Latin rulers to support Guyana’s nominee. Will they back Ms. Birkett? Latin nations generally want someone who can communicate in Spanish and the Brazilians want someone who can communicate in Portuguese.
Among the P5, France generally wants a person who speaks French. Many Europeans are multi-lingual – if they know Latin, they generally speak French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, among other languages. Candidates must publish their CV (education, language ability, experience in governance and diplomacy, and vision statements, etc.) They also must also resign from any UN posts to avoid conflicts of interest. Serving as Guyana’s Ambassador at the UN is not a conflict of interest but serving in a position a committee position could be seen as a conflict.
The selection takes place behind closed doors and usually takes several months and many straw polls to select someone acceptable to all five of the P5; the ten NPM rarely ever oppose a nominee from their country or one whose country is in good relations with them. The voting use color-coded ballots so other P5 can see if any member objects; a “no” from any P5 ends the candidacy of a nominee. There is a move for total secret ballots among the P5 so that no one knows which country vetoes a nominee. Because of the history of relations with Guyana, it is unlikely that China or Russia will veto the Guyanese nominee. France is trying to court Guyana; it is indetermined how it will vote on Birkett. It is also uncertain whether USA and UK will vote for Guyana’s nominee. After several rounds of voting in the SC and vetting, one candidate emerges; the name is sent to the 193 members GA for approval. It is usually accepted by acclamation, meaning all members support it with an applause rather than a roll call.
There’s a growing momentum for a woman to lead the UN. Diplomats say that after eight decades and nine men, diplomats feel it is time for gender equality and representation of women who constitute half of the world’s population. Prominent female leaders are demanding that the next SG be a female. This brightens the prospect for Birkett. The name of Barbados PM Mia Mottley has been making the round; but she will be opposed by at least two P5. Argentina and Brazil is likely to nominate a female each.
