GOOD international relations are a top priority for every country. Strong diplomatic ties promote the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity, security against external

threats, and the pursuit of economic prosperity among nations.

On April 3, the Government hosted its second Heads of Missions Conference since taking Office. The week-long convention, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel, brought together Guyana’s diplomatic representatives stationed in countries across the world with an aim to establish a common understanding of government policies and government’s approach to diplomacy as well as the measures that could be taken to improve and refine Guyana’s foreign policy.

President David Granger, while delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, told the Diplomatic community that safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity and promotion of

trade and economic development through diplomacy is a matter of national interest and 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 president said.

The idea of protecting the country’s national interest is also a core tenet of good international relations and within such interest also includes the protection of the country’s territorial integrity. The President said that this has remained on the forefront of Guyana’s international relations work programme. He said that the United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/49/31) of 1994 called on the Security Council and other relevant organs of the United Nations “to pay special attention to the protection and security of small States…”. In this regard, the President said that Guyana has consistently elicited assurances of solidarity and support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth and other international organisations.

“An essential element of Guyana’s foreign policy has to be a strong commitment to regionalism. Guyana’s early diplomatic exertions extended to the establishment of the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). These were followed by entry into the Association of Caribbean States (ACS); Community of Latin American States (CELAC); Organisation of American States (OAS); Union of South American States (UNASUR) and others. Membership of international organisations reinforces collective security and, hence the pursuit of the ‘national interest’,” the President said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge during his remarks said it is important to recognise that the country’s foreign policy is an extension of its national policy, and that the primary aim of foreign relations must be to promote the nation’s development. As such, the Minister said that Guyana’s diplomatic representatives must understand their role and responsibilities as external actors as well as the underpinnings of our national development. Topics that were high on the agenda at the week-long conference were: the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity with regard to its border controversy with Venezuela and Suriname, Guyana’s Green Agenda and the pursuit of economic diplomacy.

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell, said that investment in diplomacy is imperative for Guyana given the combination of both national and global circumstances and challenges. “The preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity, security against external threats, and the pursuit of economic prosperity remain the central impulses. Accordingly, while the imperatives of our foreign policy have not changed, we do need to adapt to changing external environment. This Heads of Mission Conference avails us of an unparalleled opportunity to undertake, collectively, a review of the discharge of our responsibilities in order to attain our pivotal foreign policy objectives,” she said.

As such, the Ambassador noted that good international relations can be strengthened through the pursuit of approaches that are prudent, pragmatic and sustainable. She expressed the hope that the Conference would help to ensure that the Ministry and the Heads of Missions are better equipped and empowered to pursue Guyana’s national interest in the international realm. On the most recent episode of the Public Interest, President Granger said that Government’s aim is to transform the Diplomatic service and to make sure that they are functioning more efficiently in their posts. The President said that a country

depends on the work of its foreign missions to protect its citizens living abroad and to promote tourism, trade, investment and other interests. “The foreign service has an important role to play.

I am very glad that this conference has taken place. It will ensure that the diplomats are singing from the same song sheet. Many of the diplomats are there for the first time and we hope they help to stabilise the situation in the Foreign Service. So we are in the process of transforming the foreign service, this conference is important to moving us from where we are to where we want to be,” he said.
These foreign-based diplomats are therefore placed in pivotal positions and are tasked with a packed mandate to act as the voice of Guyana and to forge strong partnerships to aid in the country’s development.

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations Organisations in Geneva, Dr. J. R. Deep Ford, said that since his appointment in October last year, he has worked to strengthen partnerships in the area of economic development, fisheries, Human Rights Issues and other areas. Geneva is also seen as the Human Rights Capital, and Ambassador Forde said that he is currently also involved with organisations such as the United Nations Office of Geneva, the World Health Organisation, the International Labour Organisation and other bodies to discuss matters of importance in the area of Human Rights. The Ambassador said that Geneva is a critical point of global collaboration for all countries, as such, work to create lasting partnerships through negotiations is critical in that area.

Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Ms. Barbara Atherly in her eight months since being appointed to the post, said that her interactions have been mostly focused on the promotion of the development of Guyana in order to form stronger economic, social and cultural ties. With Guyana’s certain future as a petroleum producing nation, she attested that she has been in talks with potential investors as well New York also is home to the largest population of Guyanese in the Diaspora. The Guyanese diaspora is also the fifth largest immigration population in the United States. As such, close relations with this significant group becomes a major part of the Consul General’s mandate. She shared President Granger’s sentiments on the strength of the Diaspora, as she believes that it can play a major role in the economic development of the country.

Cordial diplomatic ties are ever important especially in cases where tension exists between countries and Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Ms. Cheryl Miles is well aware of this. However, the Ambassador said that much of her work since being appointed surrounds Diaspora relations, as the Eastern part of the country has over 250,000 Guyanese citizens living there. However, the Ambassador said that she is aware of the current state regarding the Guyana/Venezuela Border controversy and is ready and willing to honour her duty in carrying out her required role with regard to the decision that will be made by the United Nations at the end of 2017.

In South Africa, focus is placed on strengthening ties in the area of mining, and Guyana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Dr. Kenneth Hunte explained that there is much room for collaboration between the two countries in this area. He stated that he is working to create ties to encourage investment both at a business and academic level with South African partners so that the country can learn from key aspects of South Africa’s rich mining sector.
Mr. Halim Majeed, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, said that much of his work has surrounded holding open dialogue with Cuban officials, given that country’s close relationship with Venezuela, as well as the re-establishment of trade and economic relations with Guyana.

The Ambassador said that while the trade relationship had become dormant, Guyana’s long standing friendship with Cuba was still active in the form of cooperation in the area of medicine, education engineering and other areas.
Government believes that it is its obligation to strengthen the work of our Diplomatic Missions where necessary in pursuit of economic diplomacy, which is one of the reasons the Conference was held. Moreover, Government’s aim is to expand its representation in areas that could lead to greater economic exchanges while examining existing relations to see whether they can yield greater investments and economic dividends.