Guyana concluded its two-year tenure as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council December 31, 2025 marking the end of a period guided by the theme “Partnering for Peace and Prosperity.” The country’s membership began on January 1, 2024 and coincided with a period of intense global and regional upheaval. Guyana was represented on the Security Council by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, its Permanent Representative.
During its term, Guyana engaged with crises including the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, violence in Sudan, the spread of terrorism in the Sahel, the Taliban’s intensified repression of women’s rights in Afghanistan, and the protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Council also addressed humanitarian and political crises in Haiti, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar, alongside developments in the Caribbean Sea.
Renewed tensions between India and Pakistan and between Cambodia and Thailand in 2025 further tested international security, while the Council tackled issues such as financing African Union–led peace operations, worsening food insecurity in conflict-affected regions, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the safety of humanitarian and UN personnel, peacekeeping reform, and the future of multilateralism.
Guyana held the distinction of presiding over the Council in February 2024 and June 2025, hosting two signature events focused on the impact of climate change, food insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment on international peace and security. President Ali’s administration highlighted work advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, the Climate Peace and Security Agenda, the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, and the Children and Armed Conflict file, while co-leading efforts on conflict-induced food insecurity with Switzerland and Slovenia.
Key actions and contributions during Guyana’s tenure included:
A3+ Collaboration: Guyana worked closely with African members of the Council—Algeria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone in 2024, and Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia in 2025—co-authoring resolutions, Presidential Statements, and press statements on situations including Sudan, Libya, Benin, and the Guyana–Venezuela controversy.
Engagement with Elected Members (E10): Guyana coordinated with the ten elected members to advocate for ceasefires and expanded humanitarian access in Gaza, co-authoring several resolutions.
Youth, Peace and Security: In partnership with Sierra Leone, Guyana co-authored a landmark resolution on Youth, Peace and Security, unanimously adopted on 12 December 2025, promoting youth participation and leadership in peace processes, conflict prevention, and reconstruction at all levels.
Leadership in Subsidiary Bodies: Guyana chaired the Sanctions Committees on Haiti and Guinea-Bissau, served as Vice-Chair for Afghanistan and the Central African Republic, and contributed actively to other subsidiary bodies.
High-Level Engagement and Field Missions: Guyana organised and led briefings, debates, and expert engagements, including a Security Council mission to Colombia in February 2024 and an informal expert field mission to Chad in December 2025. The country also convened the annual open debate on Children and Armed Conflict.
Coordination and Regional Outreach: Guyana served as Coordinator for the E10 group (October 2024 and October 2025), the A3+ group (January–March 2025), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Caucus, collaborating with CARICOM and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to advance regional priorities.
Civil Society Engagement: Guyana worked with civil society organizations to facilitate briefings for Council members, improving understanding of on-the-ground realities in conflict-affected areas.
During its tenure, the Security Council adopted 90 resolutions, 15 Presidential Statements, 77 Press Statements, and 21 Notes by the President, all negotiated with Guyana playing a constructive and principled role.
Guyana’s service on the Security Council has enhanced its global standing. “All of Guyana can take great pride in this collective achievement,” the statement said, crediting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the Mission to the UN, and international partners for their support.
As its service concludes, Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to peace, security, and prosperity, striving with partners across regions and hemispheres to build a more just, inclusive, and harmonious world.
