ASSISTANT Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Heraldo Muñoz, is leading a delegation on an unprecedented tour of duty in Guyana.
The visit, which forms part of a

Caribbean-wide review of UN programmes, marks the first time Regional Directors are meeting outside the organisation’s headquarters.
They met President Donald Ramotar at his office where they were apprised on ongoing programmes and how they are being executed through joint ventures in areas under the environment and sustainable development, democratic governance, poverty, social inclusion, etc.
Among them were United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Bernt Aasen, and the UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa.
“We will come out with a better sense of what are the priorities for the government and where we can be more efficient in cooperating to the progress of Guyana,” Mr.Muñoz said in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA).
The UN team also conveyed appreciation to President Donald Ramotar for Guyana’s leadership in the areas of poverty re-education, the environment, inequality, and the fight against drugs and corruption.
A reception was hosted for the delegation Wednesday evening at De Impeccable Banquet Hall, on Brickdam.
President Ramotar attended and said the Guyana Government’s policy initiatives are in sync with the UN objectives, making reference to access to education at the primary and secondary level and the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
“We look forward to continue the fruitful collaboration that we’ve had with the United Nations, because generally and philosophically, we share all the objectives of the United Nations,” President Ramotar said.
The directors are satisfied with the fruitful outcome of the partnership between the UNDP and the Guyana Government in a number of projects, like the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) for community development projects where the UNDP is an implementing partner.
The organisation partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in July, signing a $33M agreement for the execution of a six-month project aimed at developing a comprehensive strategy that will be adopted as a policy for sustainable management of Guyana’s natural resources.
The UNDP worked with Guyana on developing the Country Action Plan, a process that began in 2010 when the UN initiated planning for successful implementation of the 2006-2011 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
Mr. Muñoz who also spoke at the reception, hailed Guyana for showing exemplary commitment to the ideals of the United Nations. He made reference to President Ramotar’s recent appointment to the Education First Initiative, spearheaded by the UN Secretary General Ban-ki- moon.
The recent appointment of Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador George Talbot to the Chair of the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the United Nations General Assembly for the 67th session is also included in the list of accomplishments.
Mr. Muñoz expressed the hope that Guyana will be able to reach all the targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remaining on the course.
The visit of the UN team was announced when Munoz and the delegation met the Guyanese Head of State while he was in New York for the 67th United Nations General Assembly.