Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname to develop common security master plan

…as PM leads high-level team to Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue

Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname have all committed to developing a common security masterplan during the first edition of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue.
The meeting which was held last week was hosted in Cayenne, French Guiana, with Guyana being represented by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. At the trilateral engagement, the discussion centred on joint security threats and challenges facing the countries.
On Monday, the Office of the Prime Minister said that the dialogue also underscored the importance of shared respective understanding of the regional strategic defence and security environment.
The issues of how the countries can collaborate and structure their operational and technical cooperation in the fight against the security threats and other challenges facing the populations, territories, maritime space and interests were also discussed.

Within the framework of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defence and to develop a common security masterplan, the dialogue agreed on to exchanging views and working closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions.
Additionally, it was agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drugs trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment, prevention.
The third area that was agreed to was response and increasing joint attention to the environment and climate change, including security and defence impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.
Suriname’s delegation was led by Defence Minister Krishna Mathoera and the French Delegation by Brigadier General Régis Colcombet.
The Guyana delegation also included Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; National Security Advisor to the President, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Colonel Omar Khan; Director of Customs Anti-Narcotics Agency, James Singh; Staff Officer of the Guyana Defence Force, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Pompey; Aide to the Chief of Staff, Captain Rondell Douglas and Aide to the Prime Minister Captain Godwin Cameron.