Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has explained why she did not enter the race to become the first woman to lead the United Nations. Mottley stated that her responsibilities at home and across the Caribbean require her full attention. She made these comments during a conversation with former United States Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
Mottley joked about whether the international community was ready for her outspoken style. She questioned whether governments were prepared for the consensus required to lead the organisation. Mottley had been widely discussed as a possible successor to António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. Her international standing has grown through her campaigns for climate financing, debt reform and a fairer global financial system for vulnerable countries.
Mottley's immediate priority remains Barbados, where her Barbados Labour Party won all 30 parliamentary seats in February 2026. This victory marked a third consecutive clean sweep for the party. Mottley emphasized that protecting her country's future and regional stability had become increasingly demanding. As a result, she does not consider a UN bid an immediate prospect.
However, Mottley did not completely close the door on a future candidacy. She stated, "I never say never," leaving room for potential future consideration. Barbados is currently supporting Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, a former foreign minister and current UN ambassador, for the position. If selected, Rodrigues-Birkett would become the first woman and first Caribbean national to serve as Secretary-General.
Several other candidates are vying for the position, including Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan, Argentina's Rafael Grossi, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, Ecuador's María Fernanda Espinosa and Ivonne Baki, and Uganda's Olara Otunnu. Otunnu is a former Ugandan foreign minister, UN ambassador and Under-Secretary-General who served as the UN's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
The next Secretary-General will be recommended by the Security Council and appointed by the General Assembly. Notably, no woman has held the position since the UN was established in 1945. Mottley's decision reflects her current focus on Barbados and the Caribbean, but she remains a prominent figure in international politics.
Mottley's priorities align with her country's interests, and her leadership in Barbados and the Caribbean has earned her recognition. As the international community continues to seek a new Secretary-General, Mottley's future considerations for the position will be closely watched. For now, her focus remains on her country's development and regional stability.
Key points
- Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley rules out immediate UN bid.
- Mottley cites responsibilities at home and in the Caribbean as the reason for her decision.
- Mottley leaves room for potential future consideration for the UN position.
