Food and Agriculture Organisation appoints new Guyana representative

Rueben Hamilton Robertson has replaced Lystra Fletcher-Paul as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Guyana.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Robertson presented his credentials to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett yesterday. His appointment by the FAO took effect on January 10.

In his capacity as the FAO’s representative in Guyana, Robertson will assist “Guyana to achieve tangible results in terms of food security and eradication of hunger through sustainable agriculture and rural development while ensuring coherent natural resource management,” the release said.

Reuben Hamilton Robertson presenting his credentials to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett yesterday.
Reuben Hamilton Robertson presenting his credentials to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett yesterday.

Robertson, a St Vincent and the Grenadines native, holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agricul-ture and Agriculture Eco-nomics respectively, and served as FAO’s consultant and technical advisor to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) prior to his Guyana appointment.

It will also be a part of Robertson’s responsibility to assist the Government of Guyana to execute the FAO’s country programme framework 2012 -2015. Guyana, the report said, has been an active member of the FAO since 1966 although the country office was only established in May 2009 which in effect allowed for a more direct and strategic FAO support in relation to sustainable development and food security via the implementation of its agricultural policies.