PM, Governance Minister represents Guyana at Global Summit in Mexico

12088247_1709575912594567_971729923163228746_nGeorgetown: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman departed Guyana on Sunday October 25 to attend the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Mexico. President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, will be opening the summit.

Mexico is currently the Lead Chair and has worked to promote a shared vision that fosters openness, accountability and good governance at the national and international levels.

The Open Government Partnership’s Global Summit provides a wonderful opportunity for members of the open government movement to consolidate and build momentum, to reflect on what is working and what is not, and to lay out a framework for further co-operation, exchange and action.

In 4 years, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) has grown from 8 to 66 countries representing one third of the world’s population. This year some 1500 participants are expected which will include representatives from civil society organisations, businesses and governments.

Over the course of a series of workshops, panel discussions, plenaries and social gathering participants will share experiences from their respective countries and provide real examples of how openness can improve public services, drive economic growth, reduce poverty and make governments more accountable to the people they serve.

The Guyana delegation will be given the opportunity to pursue economic and diplomatic interest that will be beneficial to both countries. The Prime Minister and Minister of Governance in addition to attending the summit will be meeting with Deputy Minister of North America, Dr Carlos Perez Verdia and Executive Director of Institute for Mexican Abroad, Francisco de la Torre.

Ambassador Bruno Figueroa from Mexican International Cooperation Agency (AMEXCID) will meet the Guyana delegation to discuss the Acuerdo de Yucatan Infrastructure Development Fund.

Visits will be made to the Mexican Institute of Petroleum, National Polytechnic Institute, Museum of Anthropology and Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).

Mexico is a large consumer of rice and producer and presently imports over one million tons of rice annually. The Prime Minister and his delegation will be given the opportunity to discuss improving the chain of value of rice and sugar cane. The Commercialisation and Agricultural Market Development (ASERCA) is in charge of facilitating food security through market channels and will be facilitating the discussion.

This year special attention will be paid to the role of, “open government”, in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.