One month after assuming its seat as an elected member, Guyana will preside over a high-level debate at the United Nations Security Council in February 2024. This was confirmed in a statement by Foreign Secretary and High Representative for United Nations Security Council Affairs, Robert Persaud.
The high-level debate, which will be chaired by President Dr. Irfaan Ali will be held under the theme, “The impact of climate change and food insecurity in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
The open debate is expected to promote greater understanding, better coordination of responses, and proactive approaches to addressing the intersection of food insecurity and climate change.
Persaud said, “Guyana’s presence on the Security Council comes amidst the rise in the number of conflicts, increase in democratic backslide, and threat to peace in many regions of the world.” He said the wars in Ukraine and Gaza for instance have upended peace, causing instability with far-reaching consequences for both the human beings who are the casualties, and the international system which is now experiencing severe strain.
He said all citizens should be proud that Guyana will play its part in building alliances and engaging meaningfully in finding long-lasting and sustainable solutions to conflicts, in line with international law and the UN Charter. Moreover, Persaud said, “We will also seek to elevate the voices of developing countries particularly those in states like Haiti, Colombia and in the African region and to ensure the respect for all states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty consistent with international laws.”
The High Representative added, “Our practice of diplomacy under the guidance of President Ali will show that small states can be meaningful actors in global governance.”
Guyana will serve for two years on the United Nations Security Council, the principal organ of the United Nations responsible for the governance of the world security order. Persaud said Guyana is the first CARICOM country to serve on the Security Council.
During its two-year tenure on the Council, the Foreign Secretary said Guyana will pursue five priority areas including climate change, food security, peacebuilding and conflict resolution/prevention, women and global security; and youth and children in peace and security.
According to President Ali, Guyana’s election to the Council represents an endorsement that could not be more resounding, and is “clear evidence of our success in achieving broad respect for our nation and influential role we can play in the world.”
The President has also stated that the government will live up to the expectations of the international community by “ensuring that Guyana plays the full part in fashioning an international system that is fair and just.” In so doing, Guyana will “seek alliances and embrace friends, but at all times, we will remain independent and principled, standing up for values set out in the United Nations Charter and International law.”
Since joining the United Nations in 1966, shortly after gaining independence, Guyana has long been a responsible and constructive contributor to the purposes of the United Nations and its Charter.
