Guyana’s candidate for United Nations secretary-general, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has emerged as the leading contender in the latest informal Security Council poll, giving her campaign a significant boost in the race to succeed António Guterres.
Rodrigues-Birkett received eight “encourage” votes in the second straw poll conducted by the 15-member Security Council on Friday, narrowly placing her ahead of Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, who each secured seven votes. The results were reported by diplomatic sources because the Security Council does not formally publish the outcome of the informal polls.
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The Guyanese diplomat also received three “discourage” votes, while four council members expressed no opinion. Grynspan received four “discourage” votes and four with no opinion, while Grossi recorded six “discourage” votes and two members withholding an assessment.
The latest results mark a change from the first informal poll held in July, when Grynspan was reported to have led the field with 10 “encourage” votes. Rodrigues-Birkett followed with nine, while Grossi received seven.
Rodrigues-Birkett’s rise comes as Guyana mounts a diplomatic campaign to secure support for its nominee. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali formally announced her candidacy earlier this year, describing her as an experienced diplomat with the judgement and expertise required to lead the world body.
She has served as Guyana’s permanent representative to the UN since 2020 and previously held the positions of foreign minister and minister of Amerindian affairs. She also served as director of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s liaison office in Geneva.
Her candidacy has particular significance for Guyana and the wider Caribbean, as the secretary-general position has traditionally been dominated by candidates from larger and more influential states. A successful bid would place a Caribbean diplomat at the head of the UN at a time when the organisation is facing conflicts, geopolitical divisions, humanitarian crises and growing questions about the effectiveness of multilateral institutions.
Rodrigues-Birkett has presented herself as an advocate for stronger multilateral cooperation and a more responsive United Nations. During her June dialogue with the UN General Assembly, she outlined her approach to the organisation’s leadership as part of the formal selection process.
The second straw poll does not mean Rodrigues-Birkett has secured the position. The informal ballots are intended to gauge the level of support and opposition among Security Council members before the council moves toward a formal recommendation.
The next secretary-general will ultimately require the backing of the Security Council before being appointed by the General Assembly. The five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — hold veto power, making their positions particularly important as the contest progresses.
Rodrigues-Birkett is among a field of eight candidates competing for the post. Other leading contenders include Grynspan, Grossi and former Senegalese President Macky Sall, with the race expected to remain fluid as governments continue lobbying for their preferred candidates.
The new informal poll nevertheless represents an important moment for Guyana. Rodrigues-Birkett has moved from a close second in the first round to the top position in the latest assessment, placing her at the centre of an increasingly competitive contest for one of the world’s most prominent diplomatic posts.
Guterres’ second term ends on December 31, 2026, meaning the selection process is expected to intensify in the coming months, with a final decision anticipated before the end of the year.
