Suriname backs Guyanese candidate for UN’s top job

UNITED NATIONS (CMC):

Suriname has endorsed Guyanese diplomat Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, arguing that the organisation’s next leader must demonstrate a strong commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and the rule of law.

Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons noted that Rodrigues-Birkett is the first woman from the Caribbean to be nominated for the post.

“Many capable candidates, including women leaders, who have taken up the challenge have been put forth, and for the first time in history, we have a female candidate from the Caribbean,” she said.

The successful candidate will succeed António Guterres, whose second five-year term as Secretary-General ends in December.

President Geerlings-Simons said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) had endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy at a time when confidence in the United Nations is under strain.

“We are at that time in history where trust in the United Nations must urgently be restored,” she said.

“Suriname will do what we can, and we call on the more influential members of the United Nations to help maintain peace, to make sure that there is peace in the world, because only a United Nations capable of safeguarding international peace and security will deliver for all.”

The Surinamese leader said her country remains committed to a rules-based international order, arguing that smaller and more vulnerable states depend on international law to safeguard their sovereignty.

She warned that the world was facing a period of heightened uncertainty marked by armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions and growing concerns over food and energy security.

“Armed conflicts continue to claim innocent lives, while geopolitical tensions escalate. Children are living through unimaginable horrors. The United Nations has not been able to prevent this or to end the continuation and we have to ponder on that.”

Disruption

She pointed to developments in the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of how conflicts can quickly disrupt global energy markets and drive up costs.

“Common people suffer when food and energy prices rise, so the quality of life of our people is directly threatened, even by wars in regions far from their homes. And we as government, we have to make sure that we try to protect them.”

Geerlings-Simons called for renewed adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and urged parties involved in the Cuban situation to pursue dialogue.

“The people of Cuba, a Caribbean country, are adversely affected by the current situation in their country. Suriname calls on the parties involved to remain committed to dialogue and negotiation, to end the economic, commercial, and financial embargo.

“We plead for continuing of negotiations in order to prevent further escalation and to reach a resolution that will benefit the people of Cuba.”

The president also reiterated Suriname’s support for Haiti, calling for sustained international assistance to help restore security, constitutional order and democratic governance.

“Suriname supports solutions that place the Haitian people at the centre,” she said.

She argued that reforms to the United Nations system should strengthen, rather than weaken, the organisation’s ability to respond to global challenges, while renewing calls for reform of the Security Council.

“It should not reduce support where it is most needed. Equally important is the overdue reform of the Security Council. Hence, Suriname reiterates its call for making it more representative, more accountable, and more capable of acting.”

Suriname supports Africa’s demand for permanent representation on the Security Council and has also advocated dedicated representation for small island developing states and low-lying coastal countries, she said.

Priorities

Looking ahead to Suriname’s chairmanship of CARICOM in 2027, Geerlings-Simons said regional cooperation would remain central to the country’s foreign policy agenda.

“Our regional priorities are practical. Food and energy security, climate resilience, improved connectivity and movement of skilled people, transportation of goods and services,” she said.

“These are essential to economic integration and our ability to withstand external shocks.”

The president also highlighted the growing momentum behind the Caribbean’s campaign for reparatory justice following the adoption in March of a UN resolution on slavery and the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans.

“This development is relevant for Suriname and equally important for the countries of the Caribbean region. The discussion is no longer about whether slavery and colonialism have caused lasting consequences, negative consequences.

“We know we are living them. We increasingly must focus on how to overcome these effects and on the question of what form reparation should take to achieve that. How countries that have benefited from slavery and colonialism will compensate the effect.

“That is the important issue now. It is therefore that the CARICOM 10-point plan for restorative justice is now of eminent importance,” she told the UNGA.