A delegation of top security officials led by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn attended a High Level Security Conference (HLSC) in Paramaribo, Suriname yesterday and Thursday.
A release today from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the conference was an initiative of the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who delivered the feature address and declared the conference open.
The Guyanese team comprised the National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, James Singh; Director National Intelligence and Security Agency; Colonel Omar Khan and Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Julius Skeete.
Remarks were delivered by Dr. Horace Chang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security of Jamaica and Chairman of the Council of National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) of the Caribbean Community and the Plenary II Presentation on National Emerging Security Matters was delivered by Surinamese Minister Krishnakoemarie Mathoera.
The HLSC focused on three thematic areas:
1. Transnational crime
2. Border security
3. Cyber Security
Guyana, the release said, led the Border Securiry breakout group which focused on migration, border management and maritime security, in addition to contributing to the other two areas. The conference is an initiative undertaken by Suriname to address regional security challenges relating to the areas identified.
Over 20 countries participated including Barbados, Jamaica, Colombia, French Guiana, the United States, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom.
The Guyana team used the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with a few countries and regional bodies, the release said.