As the term of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end in December 2026, candidates from the Global South are gaining attention. Two frontrunners from the Caribbean have emerged: Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Denzil Douglas, former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. This shift highlights the importance of including diverse perspectives from nations often overlooked by developed countries. The Caribbean, through CARICOM, is pivotal in addressing global challenges such as climate change and economic volatility. Support from emerging global powers like India could further bolster the Caribbean’s representation in the UN leadership.
New Delhi:
The current term of the UN Secretary General has entered its final two years, and candidates are starting to emerge for the prestigious UN position. With the rise of the Global South, several names representing this region are being discussed within the global organization.
Among the frontrunners are two prominent leaders from the Caribbean: Mia Amor Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, and Denzil Douglas, the former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Caribbean, a region that has often been overlooked by developed nations, is becoming a significant collective voice in matters related to sustainability, economic reform, and climate resilience.
Since the UN’s establishment in 1945, leadership has predominantly been held by major global powers, commonly referred to as developed or ‘first-world nations’. The rising influence of the Global South is now presenting a refreshing perspective on how to address shared global challenges, allowing the concerns of previously unheard nations to be recognized.
The challenges faced globally tend to have a more profound impact on the Global South. Issues such as climate change and global economic instability necessitate a comprehensive understanding. A substantial part of the global sustainable development goals, including poverty alleviation and fighting malnutrition, is closely tied to nations in the Global South.
The candidacies of Ms. Mottley and Mr. Douglas—both respected leaders—are receiving positive reactions from CARICOM nations. These two Caribbean leaders have a history of mutual support in their region.
The Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM, also enjoys the backing of emerging global powers like India. India further engages with Caribbean nations through the India-CARICOM Summit, with the latest edition scheduled to take place in Georgetown in November 2024.
It remains unclear whether India intends to nominate its own candidate for the top post. If it chooses to refrain from doing so and instead supports the representation of the Global South, backing from India—home to the world’s fastest-growing major economy and most populous nation—would significantly boost the Caribbean leader’s candidacy.
The current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ term is set to conclude on December 31, 2026.