What did President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons of Suriname say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?
Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons said trust in the UN must urgently be restored, and backed Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to be the next Secretary-General, the first woman candidate from the Caribbean.
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She addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the third speaker of the afternoon session.
The speech in brief
- Next Secretary-General. She endorsed Rodrigues-Birkett and said the next UN chief must be committed to multilateralism, dialogue and the rule of law.
- Small states need rules. Countries like Suriname depend on an international order built on rules.
- Cuba and Haiti. She called for an end to the US embargo on Cuba, and for steady support to restore security and democracy in Haiti.
- Security Council. More seats for Africa and small island states.
- Reparations. She backed the Caribbean’s call for reparations for slavery and colonialism.
In her own words
We are at that time in history where trust in the United Nations must urgently be restored.
“For the first time in history, we have a female candidate from the Caribbean.”
“Armed conflicts continue to claim innocent lives, while geopolitical tensions escalate.”
Worth knowing
- She is Suriname’s first woman president, and this was her second General Assembly address.
Watch and read the full speech
Video of the address:
Suriname: President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons at the UN General Debate, 81st session
The UN’s video of the whole day:
UN Web TVWatch Day 1 of the UNGA 81 general debate on UN Web TVThe UN posts the statement on its general debate website.
Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.
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