Georgetown : President Donald Ramotar in his address to the nation on the eve of the country’s 48th independence anniversary spoke of the ongoing struggle for socio-economic justice, a more equitable world and the need to democratise international relations.
He said that it is evident that the vast majority of countries in the world, and by extension the people of those countries do not have enough influence on international politics and economics.
“This situation demands that Guyana continues to build greater solidarity among the developing world while we work in alliance with those developed countries interested in genuine partnership,” the Guyanese Head of State said.
In this regard, Guyana took the lead in promoting regional unity; working tirelessly within CARICOM to bring stronger bonds and integration of the people of the region. He said that while he has, on many occasions expressed some impatience with the pace at which this process is moving, a lot of tangible gains have been made.
“I was heartened to hear at the last CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, leaders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica, our sister members, saying that last December when they experienced great damage caused by a major storm, that it was other CARICOM member states that first rushed to their assistance and helped to ease the pain that they endured. This is living example of the growing maturity of the nations and of the region’s commitment to regional integration,” the President said.
Moreover, institutions within CARICOM are growing stronger. Guyana currently has the honour of hosting the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of one of the foremost regional institutions, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
He said that this Bank has served the Region with distinction, and "we are pleased to welcome the leadership of this important institution to Guyana.”
Over the last two decades, Guyana has also increased its contacts with countries on the American continent. The country now plays an active role in major organisations that seek to improve relations among the countries of both North and South America.
These organisations include Organisation of American States (OAS), UNASUR, MERCOSUR and CELAC. Stronger ties with the Americas form a good foundation as it will allow Guyana to broaden its international relations and benefit from wider cooperation.
Further afield, Guyana is also working with former colonies to enhance collective influence on world affairs. This is manifested in its role in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
“The ACP was formed to allow us to interact with the European Union in a more collective way. Now we are working to allow it to expand its relations with other countries and blocs of states,” the President said.
Guyana also takes an active part in the work of the Commonwealth. This body brings together both developed and developing countries and seeks to enhance cooperation between and among them.
At the level of the United Nations, the country has the international reputation of being one of the leaders in the fight against climate change to better prepare the world to confront the challenges associated with it.
“Needless to say this is the greatest challenge of our time and Guyana stands in the front ranks of the struggle even though we play no part in creating this problem,” President Ramotar reminded.
Additionally, Guyana continues to work closely with the United States and the United Kingdom in fighting international crimes which include the fight against drug dealers, money launderers and other global criminals.
The President said that the country’s work in the international community will become even more intense as the world is confronted with more global issues and affirmed that, “global problem must be solved by governments taking common positions.”
