Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Candidate for UN Secretary-General) on the side of the interactive dialogues for the position of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations- Media Stakeout Media Stakeouts Date: 18 June 2026 Language: Floor (Original) Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/es/asset/k11/k11mm4x5t7?lang=floor Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Moderator · Royston Elkins [0:05]: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It's certainly a pleasure to have you here with us this afternoon. My name is Royston Elkins, and I have the honor of introducing our excellency Carlin Rodericks Burkett Guyana's nomination for the post of United Nations Secretary General. Her excellency is keen to engage with you and we'll take your questions one by one. Ambassador. Guyana · Ambassador · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett [0:26]: Good afternoon, everyone. And let me begin by thanking you for all you do in bringing our messages from the United Nations to the world. I've just completed the interactive session with member states of the United Nations. I've answered quite a bit of questions, but I think it's also important that I hear from you. And so I would immediately give you the floor. Journalist · Gabriel Alzano [0:51]: Ambassador, this is Gabriel Alzano from Ambassador English. It's good to see you again. You've entered thanks for speaking with us, actually, you're very tired. You have three hours of questions, but we appreciate it. You've entered the race a little later than some of the other candidates. That's not unusual, but it's just sort of a fact. Some of the other candidates have already visited other capitals already that have been well into their campaign. What is your strategy to try, in the short period you have, when the Security Council takes up the issue next month, to try to reach as many countries as you can? Do you have a plan on traveling to capitals. This gives us an idea of that and why you enter at the race at this particular stage. Guyana · Ambassador · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett [1:40]: Thank you for the question. These decisions require quite a lot of thought. It is not a decision that I make on my own. It required consultations with my family. I had planned to be with my father for a few years. And so I wanted to talk with him about the changed plan or the proposed change plan, and of course my children. And of course, coupled with the task before before me, should I be elected Secretary General. I do not consider it to be a late entrance. In fact, it's still open for candidates. And we could very well see more candidates coming forward I do plan to visit capitals This will be extremely important as I seek support So a lot of work here in New York, but a lot of work in capitals as well. Journalist · Stephanie McCartney [2:37]: Madam Ambassador, Stephanie McCartney, Is a follow up on the question of my colleague, is it still the decision to enter? And was maybe influenced by you able to watch and listen to the other candidates when they have their auditions. And maybe you thought that there was something, let's say, and then into the final decision? Guyana · Ambassador · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett [3:05]: No, not at all. I actually believe that the Security Council and the wider membership of the United Nations should be able to look at many candidates as possible. And I think that the region that I come from, Latin America and the Caribbean, we have a lot of people that are qualified to enter this race. So it was not about anything missing. It was about having more candidates. But let me say that the decision to do this I've spent my life in foreign affairs, in American affairs, in as an international civil servant and the last five years here in the UN, particularly in the Security Council. And so I've garnered quite a lot of experience. But I also believe skills as well. And I believe in this United Nations very much. I've seen how it has helped many countries around the world, including my own. And so this was my motivation for the race. I believe that all of the candidates that have presented themselves are also qualified for Secretary General. And so it's a matter of having as many as possible. And of course, from my region, the Caribbean region as well, We are 14 member states of the Caribbean community. And it was important, I think, for nationals from our regions to put themselves or region to put themselves forward. This was my consideration. Journalist · Enrico [4:33]: Ambassador Henrico with her capital named Guyana. From Guyana's point of view, does it Raise Guyana's profile for you running as the UN Secretary General? Do you think that is one of the considerations? Guyana · Ambassador · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett [4:48]: Guyana in the United Nations has always made its voice heard. We do so throughout all of the activities in the UN. But more so when we were on the Security Council. And we did not only speak for Guyana, but we also spoke there in the A three plus for Africa as well. So no doubt the profile of Guyana. Some eyes will be in Guyana because I've put forward myself to be the world's chief public servant. And so that in itself, I think, will cast eyes on my country. Journalist · Dulce [5:25]: I'm still not clear. Why is it exactly you decided to do a candidate for Secretary General? Because there were many candidates. I'm not sure what voters personally motivated you to take the safe step? Yeah. Guyana · Ambassador · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett [5:42]: Dulce, you have been one of them asking me for months whether I'm running. And so I would imagine that you would have seen something in me as well. But in addition to what I've said before, in terms of my motivations, I've been in this space for some time, and there were many colleagues in this space as well, for some time now. asking that I consider this and I give it deep consideration given my expertise my skills my experience and the encouragement including from people like you. Thank you Thank you very much.