Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, has expressed strong support for Guyana’s justice reform initiative which opened today at the Marriott Hotel.
Scotland who served as the Attorney General of England and Wales and has been a Queen’s Counsel since 1991, is set to speak at the two-day conference has praised the initiative, emphasizing the pivotal role of justice in fostering an equitable society. “Justice is at the very heart of ensuring that we have a society that is not only enabling but equitable. We are charged to deliver justice, particularly for the poor, the marginalized, the silenced, and the vulnerable. We can use the law as a weapon against injustice and wield it with skill whilst empowering the next generation,” she stated.
The conference, hosted by the Government of Guyana through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, is supported by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Academy of Law and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It will see participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including legislators, government officials, judges from the CCJ, national and regional judicial officers, academics, law students, civil society representatives, and international experts.
Scotland said the conference assembles diverse groups and underscores a commitment to accessible and equitable justice. “By gathering regional stakeholders and approaching the planning process in a consultative and collaborative manner, shows a commitment to accessible and equitable justice.
“I salute the Government of Guyana for taking this bold step with this conference and look forward to sharing in the discussions. Additionally, my team and I will be assessing how we can support these efforts going forward,” she added.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has long been a cornerstone of support for its member countries, providing technical assistance and developing adaptable model laws, templates, and toolkits. These resources harness the expertise and experience of the Commonwealth’s 2.5 billion citizens, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to justice and sustainable development.
In recent initiatives, the Secretariat honoured legal luminaries who contributed to the Commonwealth Model Law on Virtual Assets, launched at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Tanzania. Additionally, the Secretariat has developed a Commonwealth Carbon Tax Model Law to aid countries in reducing emissions and combating climate change. Other resources available include the Law and Climate Change toolkit, the Commonwealth’s Anticorruption Benchmarks, and the Commonwealth Elections Cybersecurity Best Practice Guide.
During her Caribbean visit, Scotland said she will also assess the Secretariat’s support for recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl. The disaster has intensified her advocacy for climate justice, global financial reform, and increased equity for small and vulnerable states. In response, the Commonwealth Secretariat has activated its Rapid Response Framework to enhance recovery and resilience in affected regions.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa will continue to emphasize resilience and sustainability.
