DIPLOMACY and information sharing are crucial for addressing global issues and with this in mind, Guyana’s Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo took the opportunity to inform international leaders of Venezuela’s claims to two-thirds of the country at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

Dr. Jagdeo who recently returned from Dubai where the international climate conference is ongoing, told reporters on Thursday that COP28 was a vehicle to pursue diplomacy.

“We will do all that we have to do to defend our country and people. Every citizen in this country needs to understand that whatever it takes, we will pursue,” Jagdeo told reporters.

Both the Vice-President and President Dr. Irfaan Ali had gone to Dubai to make their case on climate-related matters.

President Ali spent a short time in Dubai and would have returned on December 3, one day before Venezuela held its controversial referendum, which among other things sought to gain public support to annex the Essequibo region.

The government officials would have come under heavy criticism for attending the conference during a period when the Nicolas Madura-led government was instituting claims and threats to the country.

However, the two took the opportunity to inform world leaders and other bilateral partners of Venezuela’s reckless stance.

The VP maintained that Guyana has taken a diplomatic approach in the matter and has continuously been engaging international bodies and leaders.

“A lot of discussions have been taking place at the highest levels. In this country among a diverse group of people across many countries and organisations, you will have seen the results of it in some of the most robust statements coming out from across the world.”

He added: “For a country, a small country like ours, which doesn’t have a major foreign presence in terms of many embassies, to achieve that degree of success means that we have active diplomacy that is respected.”
At the climate conference, he said great emphasis was placed on diplomacy to forge relationships with allies who share strategic interests and have greater capabilities.

“We went to a gathering where you had most of the world leaders in a single room and we could have spoken to them one-on-one or their delegations. What’s the best forum to advocate for your cause than one where all the leaders together. It was one of the best vehicles for us to pursue our diplomacy,” he added.