IN LIGHT of border related issues with neighbouring Venezuela, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr George Talbot expressed the importance of United Nations involvement in ensuring that countries respect the conventional treaties which seek to protect territorial integrity of its member states. These comments were made at the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council at the UN Headquarters on February 15. The Debate was held under the theme ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.’ Talbot in his address said that the theme is of special importance to Guyana as it not only serves as the principle for which the country’s foreign policy is built, but also as a standard which Guyana expects other countries to aspire to.

Talbot said that the agenda of the meeting, which included respect for sovereign equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and fulfilment of the obligations assumed by states under the Charter will also serve extremely useful.

“They afford to all states, in particular the small and vulnerable, the prospect of protection in the face of a diverse array of threats of increasing complexity, including climate change, the vagaries of transnational criminal networks, the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons and drugs, the spread of disease and the scourge of terrorism,” Talbot said.

He acknowledged that the purposes and principles of the UN point to the continuing need for collective effort and multilateral action in maintaining international peace and security, as well as maintaining good relations among nations. As such, he stated that the UN therefore has a great part to play in helping to promote these principles. “It is incumbent on this Council…to be exemplary in such adherence, and to eschew conduct inimical to the pursuit of this mandate, thereby providing a basis for enduring confidence in the efficacy and legitimacy of the actions of the Council in the eyes of the world community,” Talbot said, adding that both the Council and Member States should be held accountable for compliance with the provisions of the UN Charter

Talbot stated that on a world where there are increasing calls for countries to be their “brother’s and sister’s” keeper, it should be ensured that development is sustained and human rights are respected so as to maintain peace. He then made reference to bodies such as the International Court of Justice, which he said has a significant role to play in contributing to the respect for Charter precepts. He went on to identify the legal framework of the Charter which seeks to ensure that states adhere to the rights and responsibilities in keeping with Charter principles. “One such, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – The Constitution of the Oceans – is one of the great achievements of the United Nations – subscribed to by the vast majority of the world’s nations. The Convention, including the International Tribunal established thereunder, has made and continues to make an important contribution to international cooperation, dispute resolution and peace,“ he said.
On this note, Talbot called on the United Nations to serve as a means of protection for member states from entities which seek to disturb the peace to which the Charter aspires. “[Guyana], as one of the smallest countries of our Hemisphere, looks to the United Nations for protection from all who would do us harm or in any way threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity with which we have been endowed,” he said. He added that the Charter serves both large countries and smaller states such as Guyana, and added that it is those countries which need such protection the most.