GUYANA’S Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, stressed the urgent need for global unity and action ahead of the UN’s Summit of the Future.
During a live discussion in Georgetown on Wednesday, moderated by UN Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc, Rodrigues-Birkett spoke about the growing mistrust among nations and the inadequacy of current international institutions in addressing today’s global challenges.

The discussion, sought to highlight Guyana’s national priorities and perspectives as the world prepares for this crucial high-level gathering in New York on September 22 and 23, 2024.
The Summit aims to accelerate efforts towards meeting existing international commitments and addressing emerging global challenges.
During her presentation, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett stressed the critical need to turbocharge the SDG implementation and confronting emerging threats, such as the rise in global conflicts and terrorism.

“We’re living in a very, very polarised world. And there are lots of concerns about global peace and security. We have more conflicts in the world today than we’ve seen since World War more. This is not a very good place to be,” she remarked.
The Ambassador also voiced concerns about the adequacy of current global institutions, including some within the UN itself, such as the Security Council.
She questioned, “What kind of planet we would leave for [future generations]?” and underscored the importance of the Summit in addressing these critical issues.
The Summit of the Future is scheduled just two days before the high-level debate in the General Assembly, promising significant global attention.

Rodrigues-Birkett expressed hope that world leaders would use this platform to mend the growing mistrust and commit to enhancing effective global co-operation.
“The end intention is that we will seize the moment… to mend the mistrust that we’re seeing, or… to erode that mistrust, but also to commit to enhance an effective global co-operation,” she stated.
Addressing emerging threats like terrorism and the digital divide, Rodrigues-Birkett highlighted the importance of confronting these challenges while also capitalising on available opportunities.
She mentioned the expectation for an “ambitious document,” the pact for the future, accompanied by a declaration on future generations.

“If we don’t narrow that digital divide, we are going to leave behind many,” she cautioned, noting the ongoing efforts to connect Guyana digitally.
Rodrigues-Birkett outlined Guyana’s key priorities for the Summit, including energy security, climate security, and food security, as championed by President Irfaan Ali.
She described the challenging task of negotiating with 193 countries in the UN, but expressed confidence in Guyana’s progress.

“We’ve been able to do that, not just because we now have oil, but because we have put in place really prudent policies as well,” she said, acknowledging the nation’s ongoing development efforts.
The discussion concluded with a lively engagement from the audience, including representatives from religious bodies and other sectors.

As the world approaches the Summit of the Future, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s call for unity and decisive action highlights Guyana’s commitment to shaping a better global future.
“We’re hoping that we will have a very ambitious pact for the future, one that would really bring change, for our world. And Guyana will continue to advocate for this, aligning with many other countries as well because we share similar views.
“The support that we receive as well from different agencies, the UN agencies and so on, I think it’s extremely important. And the UN will be central as we go forward, in implementing the pact for the future,” the Ambassador said.