Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett Faces the General Assembly

Rodrigues Birkett commits to proactive engagement and working collaboratively with regional and sub-regional organizations. She proposes better use of anticipatory decision making and foresight on prevention. She has not offered specific prevention reform proposals.

Rodrigues Birkett draws on substantial Security Council experience on peacekeeping. She advocates adapting peace operations models case by case, operationalizing Resolution 2719, streamlining mandates, maximizing the PBC’s advisory role and framing development as a vector for peace.

Rodrigues Birkett takes a principled approach to humanitarian crises, emphasizing access, protection of civilians and adequate resources for humanitarian response. She commits to invoking Article 99 if needed to address severe humanitarian crises.

Rodrigues Birkett emphasizes delivering on existing commitments including through accelerating implementation of the SDGs. She supports vulnerability-based development metrics, stronger Global South representation and international financial architecture reform.

Rodrigues Birkett places human rights at the center of the UN's work. She supports increased funding for human rights, but without specific measures to strengthen accountability mechanisms. She supports gender equality and WPS. She commits to gender parity and geographic representation in staffing.

Rodrigues Birkett commits to ensuring geographic representation and gender parity in hiring. She emphasizes use of communications in revitalizing trust in the UN, and notes the importance of education and development for youth. She acknowledges the role of women in peacebuilding.

Rodrigues Birkett calls for the full operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS and adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. She emphasizes ocean governance, including implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

Rodrigues Birkett has not offered an ambitious program for reform. She focuses on implementation over systemic changes. She emphasizes member state direction-setting over the leadership role of the Secretary-General.