# Rodrigues-Birkett warns UN leadership race

> UN leadership hopeful Rodrigues-Birkett says not choosing a woman would send negative message.
- Title: Rodrigues-Birkett warns UN leadership race · MercoPress
- Summary: UN leadership hopeful Rodrigues-Birkett says not choosing a woman would send negative message. Guyana's UN candidate Rodrigues-Birkett warns not selecting a…
- Keywords: carolyn rodrigues-birkett, guyana, un leadership, security council, falklands dispute, inter-american court, news, world, politics, Rodrigues-Birkett, warns, leadership
- Source: MercoPress — https://en.mercopress.com/2026/10/16/rodrigues-birkett-un-leadership-hopeful-not-choosing-a-woman-would-send-a-very-negative-message
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: carolyn rodrigues-birkett, guyana, un leadership, security council, falklands dispute, inter-american court, news, world, politics
## Rodrigues-Birkett UN leadership hopeful
Guyana's ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, is one of the best-placed candidates to succeed António Guterres at the head of the organisation.
## Not choosing a woman sends negative message
Rodrigues-Birkett warned that not choosing a woman would send a very negative message to the world.
## UN leadership race context
The Security Council holds its first informal colour-coded straw poll to determine if any permanent member opposes a candidate.
## Rodrigues-Birkett's stance on equality
Rodrigues-Birkett said she is running on ability and competence, not gender, and believes the UN should set an example on equality.
## Risks of UN leadership vacuum
Rodrigues-Birkett warned that reaching january 1 without a successor would undermine the un's credibility.
## Key takeaway

Guyana's UN candidate Rodrigues-Birkett warns not selecting a woman would undermine UN credibility.