Foreign Service loses “one of its finest” as career diplomat Elisabeth Harper dies

Career diplomat Ambassador Elisabeth Anne Harper has died after a period of illness. She was 67 years of age at the time of her death on Saturday.
She last served as Guyana’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where she also previously served as Director General.

“…our Foreign Service has lost one of its finest ever” – Pres Ali
Following her death, messages of condolence poured in from various officials, including President Dr Irfaan Ali, who described Harper as one of Guyana’s most outstanding citizens and foremost diplomats.
“Her distinguished career in the Foreign Service was marked by excellence, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to the advancement of our nation’s interests… Guyana has truly lost an outstanding citizen, and our Foreign Service has lost one of its finest ever,” he said in a statement on Saturday evening.
According to the Head of State, Ambassador Harper was an extremely knowledgeable diplomat, whose insights and experience enriched every sphere in which she worked. As Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, he said she represented the country with dignity and distinction, earning the respect of colleagues across the region and beyond.
“Ambassador Harper will be remembered not only for her professional brilliance but also for her engaging personality and the warmth with which she approached all those around her. She was gifted with exceptional organisational skills and brought clarity and order to every task she undertook.”
“On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, relatives, former colleagues, and friends. Her passing is a monumental loss for our country, but her legacy of service, dedication, and excellence will continue to inspire generations to come,” President Ali noted.

Messages of condolence
Similar sentiments were expressed by Vice President and General Secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. He said Ambassador Harper was a distinguished diplomat and public servant who gave decades of dedicated service to Guyana.
“I had the privilege of working closely with her during my presidency and witnessed first-hand her professionalism, wisdom, and commitment to advancing Guyana’s national interests,” Jagdeo stated.
Harper had served as the PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial candidate at the 2015 General And Regional Elections alongside then president Donald Ramotar, and according to the party’s GS, she is bringing the same dedication and integrity to that campaign trail that defined her career in public service.
“On behalf of the People’s Progressive Party, I extend heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. Her legacy of service will be remembered with great respect. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” the GS stated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a statement on Saturday announcing her passing, said Ambassador Harper joined the Ministry in 1976 and had since dedicated her life to the Foreign Service, during which she served with distinction in every position.
“She will be remembered for her distinguished service, humility, and unwavering commitment to serve her country and the people of Guyana,” the ministry said.
Senior official of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Ganesh Mahipaul, in a social media post on Saturday evening, described Ambassador Harper as one of the most professional and outstanding career diplomats.
Recalling his first interaction with her in 2021, Mahipaul said, “I admired her depth, composure, and professionalism… To now learn of her passing is truly saddening. I always held her in the highest regard.”
Also extending condolences was the Alliance For Change (AFC) party, which said Ambassador Harper’s dedication to public service, diplomacy, and her country leaves a legacy that all Guyanese can be proud of.
“Elisabeth Harper was a trailblazer in many ways… She played a pivotal role in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty and border security and was instrumental in representing Guyana in regional and international fora (Caricom, UN, Commonwealth, among others)… We mourn not just an Ambassador and public servant, but a woman whose life and work challenged barriers and inspired many,” the AFC noted.
Moreover, the Amanza Walton-Desir-led Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) party also extended condolences on the passing of Ambassador Harper, saying she exemplified integrity, professionalism, and love for country. Her journey, the party said, marked by excellence in scholarship and diplomacy, brought honour to Guyana at home and abroad.
The British High Commission in Georgetown was also deeply saddened by the passing of Ambassador Elizabeth Harper, stating in a social media post on Saturday evening that her “…dedicated service to Guyana leaves a lasting legacy.”

Distinguished career
Born in Kitty, Georgetown, on October 2, 1957, Elisabeth Anne Harper was a devout Christian and was married to Mark Harper. Between them, they have five children.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French from the University of Guyana in 1986, passing with Honours, Mrs Harper also attended the University of Oxford, where she attained a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies in 1990.

She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1976 as a clerk in the registry. She has since acquired a wealth of experience in international affairs and other Governmental matters, serving in every major department of the ministry with a wide scope of responsibility. She served as Foreign Service Officer I in the Administrative Division (1981-1984), Foreign Service Officer II in the Protocol Division (1984-1988), Foreign Service Officer III in the Political Affairs Division with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean (1988-1991), Head of the Frontiers Division (1990-1991), Counsellor at the Guyana High Commission in London (1991-1995), Director of the Department of the Americas and Asia (1996-2001) and Director General (2001-2015). As Director General, she also held the portfolios of Ambassador to CARICOM and Non-resident High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis.
Mrs Harper was a member of Guyana’s delegation to numerous meetings of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), the Latin American Economic System (SELA), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Rio Group, the United Nations (UN), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Commonwealth. She was a member of Guyana’s team for the Guyana-Suriname Maritime Arbitration and was involved in several negotiations on behalf of Guyana, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
She was once chair of the CARICOM InterGovernmental Task Force to revise the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Mrs Harper’s distinguished service to Guyana was recognised by the Government in 2011 when she was awarded one of Guyana’s most prestigious National Awards, the Golden Arrow of Achievement, for long, dedicated and distinguished service in the Guyana Foreign Service.
From 2016 to 2020 Mrs Harper served as a consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on border matters. She is also the co-agent for Guyana in the case regarding the validity of the 1899 award about the frontier between Guyana and Venezuela, which is currently before the International Court of Justice.