Guyana and Belize yesterday signed a MoU to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
At the invitation of President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño, paid an official visit to Guyana from July 5 to 8. The visiting delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, Eamon Courtenay; Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, Rosanna Briceño; and Honorary Consul of Belize in Guyana, Gale Miller-Garnett.
A Joint Communique said that the Belizean delegation also held discussions with Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; and other ministers of Guyana’s Cabinet.
According to the communique, discussions were held on regional and international challenges including the protracted effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of the on-going economic recovery, climate change, and existing geopolitical tensions.
The two Heads engaged in substantive discussions on agriculture and food security, in the context of Guyana and Belize being mainland countries in the Caribbean Community. They also discussed the importance of strengthening agriculture and food security to mitigate the growing food crisis and provide lasting solutions to the challenge of food and nutrition security in their countries and the wider Community. Not forgotten was the regional objective of decreasing the food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025 and the two exchanged views on practical ways to advance this objective.
Prime Minister Briceño and President Ali also agreed on the urgency and value of deepening bilateral ties within CARICOM.
The two Heads of State engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activities which included: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of Belize designed to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Accordingly, officials in the respective ministries were instructed to operationalise the MoU as soon as possible and to prepare a joint work programme consistent with the objectives of the MoU.
The holding of discussions on climate change and plans for cooperation in this area deemed as very important. Their respective experts will meet as a matter of urgency to agree on common approaches.
A commitment to collaborate and share experiences and expertise in designing policies to promote economic, social and cultural advancement of their Indigenous peoples. A Belizean delegation led by the Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, Oscar Requeña, will visit Guyana from 8 to 13 July to observe how Guyana addresses issues relating to its Indigenous people.
An agreement that Belize and Guyana would share best practices and expertise in tourism as Guyana moves to further develop its tourism industry.
A reaffirmation by both Leaders of their “firm” reciprocal support for the efforts towards the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both their countries.
The Belize delegation, along with a delegation from Guyana, also visited Boa Vista, the capital of the State of Roraima, in neighbouring Brazil and were hosted by the Governor of the State of Roraima, Antonio Denarium. Discussions were held with the Governor and members of the business community on potential exports of agricultural products from Roraima into CARICOM and beyond.
Prime Minister Briceño expressed his thanks to the Government and people of Guyana for their warmth, hospitality, and the attention given to him and his delegation during his official visit, the release added
