Referring to the current structure of relations as discriminatory, he said, an elite few are favoured in the current system.
The President said this has to change and he called for greater understanding among nations; he was at the time delivering the feature address at Rotary Club of Georgetown dinner at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday night.
There is a lack of understanding in the developed world, Jagdeo said, pointing to instances where smaller states fail to comply with international conventions and treaties. He said the big powers are quick to see imperfection and they often show very little sympathy for target countries which fail to meet the required obligations.
Mutual respect is also lacking in the relationship between states, according to the President. He said some developed states are prone to intervening in the affairs of smaller states and he emphasized that international relations must be based on a sense of morality. He said too that a greater global understanding is necessary to establish a more equitable system.
He said there is much talk by developed countries of partnerships, people-centred development and special treatment for small economies yet when economic and trade and negotiations are over, concepts are conspicuous by their absence in the fine prints of the agreements. “Developing countries need to seek a re-orientation of the dialogue with developed partners,” the President declared.
Jagdeo’s speech focused on the need for nations to be more understanding even if they are not tolerant and he called for equitable reform in the international system. He expressed hope that current reforms at the level of United Nations will result in the emergence of new governance institutions which are “truly democratic and sensitive to the needs to small states”.
But there is evidence of a growing multi-polarity which will provide a better equilibrium between states, Jagdeo noted. He said globalization is still to provide advantages among smaller countries, but insisted that it offers a greater recognition of the interconnectedness among people.
He said issues such as rising trans-boundary crime; the spread of pandemics; rampant poverty and environmental degradation can only be addressed effectively through increased international cooperation.
In a light moment prior to his speech, the President quipped that the Rotary Club often chose former presidents and prime ministers for the feature address but decided to go with him because his term is ending. “They know we have term limits in Guyana and I would not be able to run again,” he said. Jagdeo has repeatedly said he is not interested in a third term yet a private group had gone public with a campaign to whip up support for him to be allowed to run again.
