Home News Guyana positioned to be a voice for SIDS at UN Security Council...
Guyana’s recent appointment to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has now positioned the country to be the voice of Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS).
This is according to a missive on Tuesday from the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), who congratulated Guyana on its election, by an overwhelming majority, to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council – representing the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) region.
According to Caricom’s statement, this selection is a testament to Guyana’s distinguished record of service in the United Nations and assumes heightened significance against the background of the challenges to current global peace and security for which the Council has responsibility.
It went on to say that “As a Member State of Caricom, which strategically designated security cooperation as one of its four pillars, Guyana is positioned to offer unique perspectives to UN Security Council matters as a voice for Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS).”
The regional leaders also expressed great pride over the election of Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dennis Francis, to the Presidency of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Caricom leaders said President-elect Francis would undoubtedly bring to bear his trademark professionalism, negotiating skills and wide-ranging experience on his new role.
“We are confident that our Region will be represented with integrity, distinction and honour under their tenures and extend our best wishes for impactful and successful terms of office,” the regional Heads posited in the missive.
On June 6, Guyana was voted in as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term – a move that President Dr Irfaan Ali said would significantly enhance the country’s global standing.
“Our position in the globe has been further enhanced, as we were elected onto the Security Council in one of (the) non-permanent member seats. This is the new Guyana. Less than three years ago, the headlines around the world were ‘Guyana: democracy under threat’. ‘Rigged elections’. ‘Sanctions’. What is the headline today: ‘Fastest growing economy’,” President Ali stated.
According to the Head of State, the ultimate aim is for Guyana to be a world leader when it comes to climate, food and energy security.
“We are living in a new Guyana. We’re preparing the way in this new Guyana to ensure that, in the world 2030 and beyond, Guyana will be a leader in energy security, food security, and climate security. That is what we’re working on: positioning Guyana to provide leadership on the three most crucial issues Guyana will face in 2030 and beyond,” the President said.
Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Amanza Walton-Desir has described Guyana’s election to the UNSC as a positive development.
“The APNU/AFC Parliamentary Opposition welcomes the announcement that Guyana has once again secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2024-2025…Guyana’s appointment to the Security Council provides us with an opportunity to advocate for these principles, and contribute meaningfully to the Council’s work,” she said in a statement.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd joined the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to cast Guyana’s vote for elections of the non-permanent members. Guyana’s candidacy was uncontested, being the sole candidate for a single seat available to the Latin America and Caribbean Region, where it garnered the highest vote count at 191 out of 192. Of the five non-permanent seats available at the Council, the others will be held by Algeria, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.
The United Nations Charter establishes six main organs of the organisation, including the Security Council. It is given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Its functions and powers are: to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations; to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction; to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes, or the terms of settlement; to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments; to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression, and to recommend what action should be taken among others.
In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorising the use of force, to maintain or restore international peace and security. Temporary members hold their seats on a rotating basis by geographic region. Guyana will serve a two-year term on the Council from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. (G8)
