Minister Harmon meets new UN Resident Representative

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Tuesday met with the new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka, at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Tanaka replaces former United Nations Resident Representative Khadija Musa, whose tour of duty ended last month.

During the meeting, mutual areas of interest, including Guyana’s green agenda and climate change, the country’s ongoing territorial controversy with neighbouring Venezuela and Guyana’s push for a juridical settlement, Government’s infrastructural development plans, crime and security, and education, among others, were discussed.

Minister Harmon told the new representative that the Government appreciated the strong and active relationship that has existed between the UN Guyana offices and the country over the past years.

“We do look forward to your continued cooperation during your stay here in Guyana. We have an open door policy here at the Ministry and we trust that you would have an excellent tour of duty,” Minister Harmon said.

Tanaka said that the hospitality which has been extended to her in Guyana was commendable and she was most confident that her stay here would be fruitful. “I am very happy to have this opportunity to serve Guyana. Of course, I have a lot of learning to do, but I hope to use my experience from other countries that I have worked in to serve,” she said. She further noted that she was pleased with President David Granger’s push for the development of a green economy and would lend whatever support was necessary to assist in that process.