…cooperation in oil and gas, mining promised

PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday accredited five ambassadors and high commissioners from Tanzania, Nigeria, Norway, Chile and the Netherlands, who have all pledged their countries’ commitment to forge deeper cooperation in the areas of oil and gas, climate change, security and defence, mining and agriculture.

At State House, the President accepted the envoys’ Letters of Credence as he welcomed the diplomats to Guyana and relayed best wishes to their heads of state.

Represented were: High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania, Emmanuel John Nchimbi; High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo; Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Jacob Rijkert Frederiks; Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, Patricio Arturo Becker Marshall; and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Nils Martin Gunneng.

Presenting his documents to the president, High Commissioner Nchimbi stated that Tanzania, through its relations with Guyana, hopes to strengthen ties in the areas of oil and gas, sugar, gold and diamond mining, agriculture and the exchange of technical know-how.
Guyana and Tanzania have shared diplomatic relations since 1970, with high-level visits of former Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in 1970 and former President Desmond Hoyte in 1986. As such, President Granger told the high commissioner that his appointment can help to advance a long-term strategic partnership between the two states.

“Guyana can learn from Tanzania’s experience in ecotourism, in managing its conservation parks and in protecting its biodiversity. Green development cooperation can form a basis for strengthening bilateral relations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Frederiks signalled the Netherlands’ interest to share its expertise in the areas of coastal defence; water management and resilient crops in the face of global warming. “The challenges faced by your country and mine are not identical; and yet there are many areas where we could work together and share experiences,” he said.
Speaking to the ‘Dutch disease’ which has become synonymous with the mismanagement of natural resources, the ambassador said that Guyana will soon face its own challenge to avoid such negative consequences.

He added that while the Netherlands’ example is not a solution, he will gladly make his network of contacts available to the government should they appreciate cooperation in that regard.

President Granger said that Guyana and The Netherlands share bonds of history through which even the names of some of its streets, villages and townships are testaments to its Dutch heritage. He expressed his appreciation for the technical assistance provided by the Netherlands Government to Guyana thus far in the fields of civil engineering, flood-risk management and hydraulics.

“Guyana, a low-lying, coastal state, is conscious of the peril of rising sea levels and extreme weather as a consequence of global warming. We look forward to continued cooperation with The Netherlands in promoting climate adaptation and in the development of climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly during your tenure as ambassador,” he said.

Climate change
At the same forum, Ambassador Gunneng during his presentation stated that Guyana and Norway have shared ties since 1979 with several initiatives dedicated to the fight against climate change.

As Guyana becomes a major oil-and-gas producer, Gunneng expressed his country’s willingness to assist the country in eventually making the shift from natural gas to renewable energy and other areas of the environment.

President Granger affirmed the same, highlighting signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on issues related to climate change, the protection of biodiversity and the enhancement of sustainable development.

“The partnership has helped to improve forest management, preserve rainforests and biodiversity and prepare for greater renewable energy generation and use…Guyana looks forward to enhanced environmental cooperation with Norway, based on the principle of sovereign equality of states, as it progresses along a low-emission pathway to development,” the President said.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner Ardo of Nigeria stated that relations between the two countries can provide greater opportunities for private sector investment, cultural exchange and air service travel.

Ambassador Marshall, too, related that mining, energy, security and telecommunication are just some of the fields in which further Guyana-Chile partnerships could see greater mutual development. President Granger similarly expressed opportunities for partnerships with Nigeria in the areas of culture, petroleum development, and security and trade, while Guyana and Chile, he said, could best forge cooperation in disaster management, oil and gas and climate change.

To all the diplomats, the President wished the very best of success in discharging their duties and fulfilling their mandates.