US, Guyana hold consultation on UN Security Council matters

Foreign Secretary and High Representative for UNSC Affairs (DPI photo)
Foreign Secretary and High Representative for UNSC Affairs (DPI photo)

Subsequent to attaining a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation on Friday engaged in a technical consultation on UNSC matters with representatives from State Department of the United States of America.

This was disclosed in a release on Friday from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

It was explained that the technical consultation is one of several being held with Council members, as Guyana prepares to assume its non-permanent seat on the Security Council, the premier body for maintaining international peace and security.

The Guyana team at the consultation was led by Foreign Secretary amd High Representative for UNSC Affairs, Robert Persaud, who assured that his colleagues comprise experienced officials who are adequately prepared to take on the “prestigious responsibility” in January. He highlighted the importance Guyana attaches to the maintenance of international peace and security and its significance to the realisation of Agenda 2030. Persaud also welcomed the technical consultation as an opportunity for the Guyana team to gain a better understanding of US’ priorities on the Council and for both sides to identify areas that can further be discussed during the policy dialogue which is scheduled to be held in Washington later this month. According to the release, Guyana will be promoting its identified priorities on the Council, in line with its national priorities in the areas of climate, food and energy security. During its tenure on the Council, Guyana will focus on five (5) key areas in keeping with the theme “Partnering for Peace and Prosperity”. These areas include (i) climate change, food insecurity and conflict; (ii) peacebuilding and conflict prevention; (iii) women, peace and security; (iv) protection of children in armed conflict; and (v) youth, peace and security.

It was on June 06, 2023, that Guyana was elected for the third time as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period January 2024 to December 2025.

Guyana will also preside over the Security Council in February 2024, the DPI release added.

The technical consultation is one of several being held with Council members, as Guyana prepares to assume its non-permanent seat on the Security Council.