By Francis Quamina Farrier
Today, October 24, is United Nations Day and the spotlight of this Pepperpot article is on Guyana’s involvement with that august international body which has a global membership of well over 150 countries from all over the world. Over the past five decades some of Guyana’s brightest and best diplomats have served as the country’s Permanent Representatives to that world body. The very first was military veteran, educator, and author of the best-selling book, “To Sir With Love” Dr. E.R. Braithwaite. Others who were appointed after him were, Dr. Rudolph Insanally, Mr. Noel Sinclair, Dr. Frederick Talbot, Mr. Paterson (Pat) Thompson, Sir John Carter, Mr. Rashleigh Jackson, Mr. Bayney Karran and Dr. Riyad Insanally.

In the past, Guyana has had the opportunity to serve as President of the UN Security Council and also on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 1966 to 1998. Both are of significance and of vital importance to member countries. As would be expected, there are Guyanese who are members of staff at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Others work at the UN Office in Georgetown. Among those who were attached to the UN Headquarters was Derrick John Jeffrey, formerly a member of staff at the National History and Arts Council in Georgetown. He is now retired from the UN and has written a novel titled, “East River,” which is a tale of espionage that commences at the UN headquarters in New York. “She jumps through the now shattered seventh-floor window into New York’s East River and disappears beneath the surface of the murky waters. The only witness is a Cuban-American.” This description introduces the reader to the tale of international dimensions and sets the tone for the reader by the Guyanese author and former staff member of the United Nations, Derrick John Jeffrey.

Since gaining Its independence in 1966, Guyana has been steadfast in playing an active role within the United Nations group of nations as predicted by the late President Forbes Burnham. President Cheddi Jagan was also very interested and involved with the work of the United Nations. His efforts to get “The New Global Order” established and propagated through the United Nations is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Guyana continues to be active in a variety of bodies at the United Nations, such as The Palestine Rights Committee, as well as The Executive Board of the UNDP and the UN Population Fund, among others.

Guyana’s present Permanent Representative to the United Nations is Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was virtually accredited on October 2, 2020. An Indigenous citizen from Santa Rosa, Moruca, in Region One, she gained wide experience in international affairs when studying at the University of Regina in Canada and serving a period as the Foreign Minister of Guyana. She continues her work at the United Nations Headquarters building on what those who went before her have achieved for the United Nations and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.