GUYANA’S diplomats are currently meeting here for the Heads of Missions conference being held under the theme: “Advancing Guyana’s Diplomacy in the 21st Century.”

It is the first time all of the heads have congregated since the government took office just under two years ago, although at an orientation summit last year quite a number of them were present. The Heads of Missions conference, in addition to the objectives set out by the administration, would no doubt provide a platform for discussing the challenges of diplomacy and analysing the international arena and how current trends affect Guyana’s security and future. It offers the heads of missions the opportunity to meet with the President, prime minister, foreign minister and other key stakeholders and officials.

In his address at the opening of the conference, President David Granger said that a small State like Guyana, with limited resources, can ill-afford the contentious and confrontational amphitheatre of international relations and, therefore, it must pursue in its national interest, the safeguarding of its territorial integrity and promotion of trade and economic development through diplomacy. He noted too, that an important part of Guyana’s diplomatic policy is to garner international and regional support to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

“The protection and projection of Guyana’s sovereignty are essential elements of Guyana’s diplomacy. Guyana lacks both the economic strength to sanction other states and the military capability to extend its power beyond its borders. A small state, notwithstanding its limitations, can seek to influence international relations in order to achieve its foreign policy objectives,” the Head of State said.

It is against this background that he charged the Heads of Missions to ensure that the pursuit of the national interest, which is inextricably linked to territorial integrity, is at the forefront of their work programme. President Granger’s message to his ambassadors is clear that while they pursue economic and other opportunities for Guyana, our territorial sovereignty, which has been under threat, should remain the centre focus of their missions.

This APNU+AFC Government, since coming into office, has taken serious steps to rebuild our foreign service, which at one time was the envy of the Caribbean. It is no secret our foreign service has gone through transformation within recent years, and some have argued that it is nowhere near its original standing and esteem once held on the global stage. This transformation saw professional Foreign Service Officers (FSO) removed or sidelined and replaced by persons either not understanding their role or lack the capacity to perform under the previous administration.

The Foreign Service Institute which was established to train and educate FSOs was closed. The closure of this institute was indicative of the fact that the nation had not been preparing FSOs to perform at their optimum, so as to deliver best services on the country’s behalf. Thankfully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has reopened the institute and appointed Ambassador, Ronald Austin as the director.

The ministry has also recruited former diplomats serving as advisers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, minister and staff are the international face of Guyana. What this ministry does, be it representing government’s policies abroad, adhering to international relations principles, or staffing of personnel, is of vital importance. In a complex world where changes are taking place very often, this ministry has to be able to grapple with the issues, look at the implications of /or benefits to Guyana’s interest, and be able to respond or adjust with the appropriateness of time and nimblest of intellect.

It is an established principle that Heads of Mission are supposed to have reporting relationship with the government of the day. Regardless of one’s political preference or relationship with the Head of Government and State, every Head of Mission has a responsibility to represent the interest of this country. Where the present Service has an international economic trade mandate, in conjunction with Foreign Affairs, the country stands to benefit from staking out economic opportunities and acting to realise them. Foreign Service is not only about international relations, it is about every facet of the nation’s activities. A professional foreign service can only be arrived at if those involved clearly understand what is the role and objective of the Service and it is from this position that the current conference is seen as very timely as it is necessary for our diplomatic representatives to understand their role and responsibilities as external actors, as well as the underpinnings of national development.