A Black woman next leader of the UN?
Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados/Image: Loey Felipe/UN Photo
It’s that time of the year when world leaders flock to New York to take center stage at the United Nations General Assembly. Although the speeches are not the most riveting, the mere presence of the most powerful leaders in the world sharing the same stage is always a source of interest for the news media and international affairs aficionados.
This year though, only one out of the five permanent members of the Security Council was in attendance. United States President Joe Biden presented his address in person but leaders of France, the United Kingdom, China and Russia were a no show. The appearance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was probably the most anticipated act and his speech generated the expected attention.
One topic that did not get as much attention is the small number of women leaders who attended this global event. Out of 190 leaders in attendance, only 21 were women.
Among them was Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who has been a noticeable figure since she was elected in 2018. Mottley was reelected for a second term in office in 2022 and has been making headlines for being a fearless leader, for cutting post-colonial ties to the British monarchy, for her powerful rhetoric on slavery reparations and her stance on climate change.
Today, her name is being mentioned in a different context. She might be a favorite in the running for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
“I think she would make a great Secretary-General,” said Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a neighboring island to Barbados.
”I don’t think I recall another leader in recent history other than Obama that had the attention of the international community like she does,” a UN diplomat said to CNN.
Mottley, who grew up in Barbados and studied at the United Nations International School and the London School of Economics and Political Science, seems to be the perfect candidate to lead on today’s world issues. As an accomplished and qualified candidate, her being a woman should only be considered last among the reasons why she should be the next Secretary-General; but it is worthy to note that despite their strong support of women in leadership, the UN has never had a woman leader.
According to CNN, when asked if she will run to become the United Nations’ next Secretary General, Prime Minister Mottley gave a thumbs up, smiled, and walked away. Although the next selection process is not until 2026, CNN states that unofficially, UN insiders say that she’s a likely front-runner.
SHOP THE CHANGEMAKER COLLECTION
