Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd last Friday said that the proposed $6.1 billion allocation for his ministry will ensure the enhancement of Guyana’s presence abroad while at the same time building capacity of staff based locally and overseas.
Todd noted that some $3.6 billion is dedicated towards this country’s Foreign Policy Programme, and among a long list of plans for this year is a campaign for a place as a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council. He said $5 million has been allocated towards the campaign.
Speaking during his contribution to the budget debate in the National Assembly, Todd also highlighted plans for the establishment of a consulate in the United Arab Emirates and for Guyana to have a presence in the Joint CARICOM Mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
Expanding the current cadre of Foreign Service staff is also in train and large sums are earmarked for human resource capacity building, he said.
“We will continue, as we did in 2020 and 2021, to build on our team of dedicated staff to provide a range of training opportunities so that they can enhance their skill sets in many areas. In this regard, the sum of $20 million has been budgeted for staffing of the Foreign Service Institute and training in international policy and law, language training and diplomatic training programmes and workshops… In addition, $2.7 million has been allocated for language training of our diplomatic staff at the missions. This government will ensure that the Guyanese people are represented by a team that reflects their dynamism,” he said.
“In addition to expanding our diplomatic footprint, the ministry will also work on enhancing capacity and capital where our presence has already been established,” he added.
For the posting of staffing around the world, Todd said the ministry has allocated a total of $130 million. This also includes the appointments of heads of missions in several capitals where government says it continues to strengthen its presence.
Diaspora engagement has a $50 million budget “for a range of activities to connect the government with Guyanese around the world”.
Todd said a critical component of the work of the ministry is the maintenance of Guyana’s bilateral relations. “This includes not just our closest allies but expanding on international and regional partnerships,” he said. “We will continue to be a responsible member of the international community, enhancing our profile at the regional and international levels. In 2022, we will be able to conclude a number of bilateral agreements in areas of education, technical and scientific education, security and defence, petroleum, investment and air services. The ministry will, in the months ahead, continue to propose, negotiate and conclude bilateral agreements that will produce benefits for our country,” he emphasised.
Over the past year, Todd noted, this country has hosted several high ranking officials, who included the Ghanaian Prime Minister. “In 2022, the ministry will continue to pursue reciprocal visits between Guyana and its allies. These include visits to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Morocco along with follow-up discussions and visits with Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia to enhance our bilateral relationships,” he said while noting that strong bilateral relations are the “bedrock” of a country’s diplomacy agenda.
At the regional level, plans this year include enhancing the fostering of relationships with Latin America and Caricom countries and strengthening this country’s presence in regional organisations.
“Our commitment to ensuring the… advancement of this region has not waned. The government will focus on deepening relations with member states and we will continue in 2022 to give parity to expanded trade, expanding our commitments to Caricom and access to new markets,” he said.
He also announced that $150 million is set aside in this year’s budget for the construction of “the official residence of the Caricom Secretary General.
This newspaper understands that building will be constructed in Pradoville 2, at Sparendaam, on the East Coast of Demerara.
Turning his attention to Guyana’s neighbours, Todd said that government is committed to seeking “enhanced relations with all its neighbours” and pointed out that since the PPP/C took office in 2020, he believes that relations with Suriname have improved. “Of vital importance is the relationship with our frontier states. The government is committed to seeking closer relations with all its neighbours,” he said.
Evidence of this, he said could be seen in a “multiplicity of areas,” such as the partnership in building the Corentyne Bridge which will provide greater opportunities for citizens of country in the areas of trade and business with that country. “We are maintaining the momentum with Suriname,” he said.
Similarly, he added, government is also advancing its relationship with Brazil and he pointed to the recent tri-lateral summit between President Irfaan Ali, Suriname’s Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.
Meanwhile, as Guyana prepares to submit its memorial to the World Court in relation to its border controversy case against Venezuela, Todd emphasised that this country will do all its power to preserve its sovereignty.
The Court may possibly rule on the border controversy case between Guyana and Venezuela by the end of 2023, according to Guyana’s Agent Carl Greenidge. “We will not rest in our efforts to preserve our sovereignty and protect our and territorial integrity,” Todd emphasised.
