–President Ali calls on global leaders to back Guyana’s highly respected candidate for top UN post
President Dr Irfaan Ali has called on members of the United Nations to support Guyana’s candidate for Secretary-General, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, describing her as a person of “extreme quality” whose leadership would benefit the world.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York,Dr. Ali urged the UN Security Council’s permanent five members (P5) and other member states to look beyond Guyana’s size and consider Rodrigues-Birkett’s character, experience, integrity and commitment to humanity.
“I know that this world will be a better place with Carolyn Rodrigues as the Secretary-General of the United Nations,” Dr. Ali said.
He highlighted Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s character, integrity, commitment and “love for humanity”, noting that her candidacy has been endorsed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“Her accomplishments are crafted in her humanity. This is an individual of extreme quality, not because she is a Guyanese, not because she comes from Guyana, but because I know personally, and many of you know this too, the permanent representatives sitting here in New York. You know her character. You know her integrity. You know her will. You know her commitment. You know her love for humanity. You know her love for this world,” he said.
He called on the international community to give the Guyanese candidate an opportunity to contribute to shaping a stronger United Nations, particularly at a time when multilateralism faces significant challenges.
The UN he said must be renewed rather than abandoned because of its imperfections, and called for an organisation that can help build a world where international law restrains power, cooperation overcomes division and people can look towards the future with hope.
