New EU embassy to be fully accessible to persons living with disabilities – Ambassador International Day of Persons with Disabilities

As the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity, announcing plans to open a new, fully accessible embassy in Georgetown in March 2026. The announcement came during the Delegation’s first-ever 5K/1.5K ‘Run Walk Roll’ on Sunday, a collaboration with STRIDE592 in support of the Blind Cricketers Association and to spotlight the rights and daily challenges of persons living with disabilities. At the sidelines of the event, EU Ambassador to Guyana Luca Pierantoni spoke directly to the need for urban planning and public infrastructure that includes all citizens, especially those living with disabilities.

He explained that the European Embassy will lead from the front, ensuring that its building and programmes align with principles championed globally under frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls on States to ensure that public buildings, transport, information and communication technologies (ICT) and services are accessible to all.
“There is a lot of building and construction going on in Georgetown. We have to make sure that the new buildings are going to be fully accessible. Ourself in the EU, we will do our little contribution. At the moment our embassy here is not accessible, but in March we are going to open a new embassy. It’s going to be fully accessible. And it’s a little contribution to try to make sure that Georgetown in the future is Georgetown for everybody. It is a very important thing and this should be integrated in all our policies. Whatever we do, whatever policy we are implementing, there should be always an eye, always the perspective of people with disabilities integrated,” EU Ambassador said. The new embassy’s accessibility commitment arrives at a key moment for disability inclusion in Guyana. Earlier this year, the National Commission on Disability (NCD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, launched a 2025–2029 Strategic Plan for Disability Inclusion — a blueprint for improving physical access, social protection, and public services for persons with disabilities nationwide. Public buildings and facilities across Georgetown will soon face stricter scrutiny under a renewed audit regime intended to ensure compliance with accessibility standards previously outlined by the Government.
Ambassador Pierantoni used the walk event to call on all stakeholders — Government, developers, civil society and ordinary citizens to integrate disability perspectives in future policy and construction projects. “People with disabilities make 10 per cent of the population, but unfortunately, they don’t receive enough attention. The problem is also because there are different kinds of disabilities, so it is very difficult to implement just one policy in favour of them. One has to really try to follow a personalised approach. But this is really a battle, a fight for civilisation, for the very values of human rights that should fund our society. So, we are together in this. Guyana, the EU, we can work together on this, and this is the spirit with which we are here today,” Pierantoni added. Meanwhile, the run, co-organised with local community group STRIDE592, brought together people of all abilities, highlighting the need for increased access to community programmes, safe spaces, and economic opportunities. For STRIDE592 founder Onika Jervis the collaboration was meaningful. Jervis praised the collaboration, saying, “It was just excellent working with the European Union. So, STRIDE592 and we are here mobilising people—it’s walking, running, and doing yoga, simple ways to take care of our bodies and mental health.” He added, “We call it a happiness project, bringing joy as hundreds of people give themselves the gift of 30 minutes a day to move together in community walkers, joggers, women, children, all levels benefiting their hearts, minds, and bodies.” The IDPD is observed annually on December 3rd to promote rights, inclusion, and well-being for people with disabilities, fostering awareness about disability issues and advocating for accessible, inclusive societies.