The nomination comes as current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to leave office at the end of the year after serving two terms since 2017.

Rodrigues-Burkett, 52, has represented Guyana at the UN since 2020 and previously served as the country’s foreign minister from 2008 to 2015. She later worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations before becoming head of its Geneva liaison office.

President Ali said her campaign would focus on strengthening multilateralism, improving the effectiveness of the UN and promoting inclusive global governance.

Guyana highlighted Rodrigues-Burkett’s role during its 2024-2025 term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying it demonstrated the country’s ability to contribute to global leadership.

The race to succeed Guterres includes several prominent candidates, including former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan, former Ecuadorian foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and former Senegalese president Macky Sall.

No woman has ever served as UN secretary-general, and several countries have called for a woman to lead the world body for the first time. Latin American nations are also seeking the position under the principle of regional rotation.