THE Committee of Supply late Tuesday evening approved an $8.3 billion budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation which will continue to play an integral role in developing Guyana’s foreign policy.

The ministry has formulated an extensive Public Relations programme for this year, which will actively involve residents in the border regions regarding the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, disclosed this information while addressing queries during the budget estimates review in the National Assembly.

“Mr. Speaker, this is a position that we have taken when we assumed office to sensitise the villages in the borderline regions, particularly, regions 1,9,8,7. And this is to bring them up to speed with the controversy that Venezuela has over the validity of 1899 award, giving them a historical perspective, helping them to understand clearly how we are positioned, and what we are doing in terms of preserving and protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he stated.

The minister acknowledged that the initiative has experienced a temporary halt as a result of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding. However, he provided assurance that the programme will be vigorously pursued this year.

He pointed out that the programme will be executed by a team from the ministry, in collaboration with other individuals.

During the examination of the expenditures, it was also revealed that training will be done in various fields such as language training, orientation for officers, posting preparation, protocol, diplomacy, defence and environment, foreign policy matters, research and analysis, accounting, sustainable development diplomacy, the art of speech writing, energy diplomacy, foreign and security policy context in the Caribbean, diplomatic etiquette protocol, and diplomatic communications in practice, among others.

“Mr. Speaker, some of the training that we do are done inhouse, and some of the courses are outsourced so we partner with several institutions, reputable institutions that we offer these trainings for our foreign service officers for their development,” minister Todd stated.

The Foreign Service Institute and the Ministry of Public Service will be engaged in these training.

Training will also be conducted at the various missions.

Meanwhile, a site within the ministry’s compound has been designated for the construction of the Foreign Service Institute, while the procurement process for the construction of the Guyana Embassy in Brazil is underway.