UN secretary-general candidate calls for stronger focus on conflict prevention

11:00

By: Azzat Manal

UN secretary-general candidate calls for stronger focus on conflict prevention

Guyana’s candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, has called for a stronger emphasis on preventive diplomacy, arguing that the UN should engage with parties to potential conflicts before violence erupts rather than limiting its role to managing crises after they begin.

During her campaign for the position, Rodrigues Birkett has presented conflict prevention as one of her priorities. She has argued that the secretary-general, acting as a neutral intermediary, should maintain dialogue with all sides when signs of a potential escalation emerge and make greater use of the information and diplomatic channels available to the United Nations.

Rodrigues Birkett formally entered the selection process in June 2026 after being nominated by Guyana. She currently serves as Guyana’s permanent representative to the United Nations and previously held the country’s foreign affairs portfolio. She also served as Guyana’s representative during its 2024–2025 term on the UN Security Council.

Her candidacy was presented during the UN’s interactive dialogue process, which gives candidates an opportunity to outline their priorities and respond to questions from member states and civil society. Rodrigues Birkett participated in the sixth interactive dialogue on June 18, where she discussed her vision for the organization and its role in international peace and security.

Preventive diplomacy has become an important part of the UN’s broader approach to conflict management, alongside peacekeeping, mediation and humanitarian action. Supporters of the approach argue that early diplomatic engagement can help address tensions before they develop into armed confrontation, although its effectiveness depends heavily on cooperation from the parties involved.

The selection process for the next secretary-general remains ongoing. In the second informal Security Council straw poll on August 21, Rodrigues Birkett received eight “encourage” votes, three “discourage” votes and four “no opinion” responses among the 15 council members. A subsequent third poll on September 18 placed Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan ahead of Rodrigues Birkett, with nine “encourage” votes compared with eight for the Guyanese candidate.

The informal polls are not final votes and do not by themselves determine who will become secretary-general. The eventual selection requires a Security Council recommendation followed by appointment by the General Assembly, with the five permanent members of the council holding veto power.

With the current secretary-general, António Guterres, due to complete his second term at the end of 2026, the selection process is expected to continue through further consultations among UN member states.