Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Michael Ten-Pow has served notice of the end of his term and he will not be seeking a renewal of his contract.
In letters seen by the Sunday Stabroek, Ten-Pow informs all the Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China as well as the Caucus of CARICOM Permanent Representatives that his contract with the Guyana Government expires on 31 July 2020.
“I do not intend to seek or accept its renewal beyond that date,” he adds before explaining that he will be proceeding on annual leave with effect from 7 July up to and including 31 July 2020.
This means that Ten-Pow’s last day as Permanent Representative with responsibility for the controversial G-77 Chairmanship will be on Monday, July 6.
Upon his departure Ambassador Neil Pierre, the G-77 Coordinator in the Permanent Mission, will assume responsibility for the G-77 Chairmanship, while Minister Counsellor Megayla Austin will serve as Chargé d’Affaires of the UN Permanent Mission.
This interim arrangement will continue until a successor is named and is expected to ensure minimal disruption to the ongoing work of the G-77 and China as well as the Permanent Mission.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to have served as Chair of the Group of 77 during this particularly challenging period. I will always treasure the working relationships and friendships forged as we faced the challenges together and I extend best wishes to the Group for success in our collective efforts to bring about the people-centred development to which all of our member countries have long aspired,” he closed his correspondence to the G-77.
Meanwhile, the CARICOM Caucus through its Chair Dr Walton Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda was commended for its ongoing efforts.
“I wish you continued success in forging closer bonds of friendship among the sister States of the Caribbean Community and in raising the profile of CARICOM in the United Nations system with a view to more effectively advancing the interests of the member States and peoples of the Community,” Ten-Pow concluded.
In November last year, Guyana was elected as Chair of the G77 Group, the largest negotiating group of developing countries in the United Nations. The 134 Member States of the Group elected Guyana by acclamation without preconditions at a November 22nd plenary.
Though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that the country’s election followed a decision of CARICOM earlier in 2019 to ensure that a regional candidate assume the chairmanship in 2020, diplomatic sources questioned the cost claiming that this included potentially undermining the country’s past efforts in lobbying for support in its border controversy with Venezuela.
Sources told the Sunday Stabroek in December that Venezuela objected to Guyana getting the position unless all public lobbying for support in the border controversy matter was halted. The source explained that it would mean that for a number of matters, Venezuela is likely to get its allies to side with Caracas and shun proposals put forward by this country.
