The Conference of Heads of Mission, which brings together all the heads of Guyana’s overseas embassies, high commissions and consulates, was yesterday convened at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

President Bharrat Jagdeo with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (left of President), Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (right of President), former Foreign Affairs Minister Clement Rohee (extreme right, front row) and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper (second from right, front row) poses for a group photo with the Heads of Guyana’s overseas missions.

The Conference is being held under the theme, “Repositioning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to effectively promote the national interest”.

Speaking with the press after the opening session of the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Relations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, explained that the intention of the three-day Conference is to review Guyana’s strategies, and the positions it takes, ensuring all the missions are familiar with them, so as to be more prepared to advance the country’s foreign policy.

She also indicated that strengthening current foreign relationships will be examined, along with developing new ones.

“We will certainly be looking at new alliances that we need to make and strengthening the traditional ones that we’ve had. Traditionally, we’ve been dealing with the ABC countries of (United States of) America, (Great) Britain and Canada, but we’re also looking at our relations with other countries like Brazil, and also what we want to do in the Middle East, Asia and so on,” the Foreign Affairs Minister said.

Further, she indicated that administrative issues would also be reviewed to ensure that the missions’ work is improved.

This is the first Heads of Mission Conference in nine years, with the last such session being in 2000.

This conference will now be held at more regular intervals to meet the needs of Guyana’s more prominent role in the international community.

Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo delivered the feature remarks at the opening session, and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the other members of the Cabinet were on hand to interact with the leaders of Guyana’s Foreign Service. (GINA)