Outgoing United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, underscored the potential for transformational change from oil and gas, even as she adverted to inclusivity and compassion.
“As this is my last Fourth of July celebration in Guyana, I would like to once again thank you, Mr Prime Minister, and everyone in this room for your partnership and friendship and for allowing me to be a guest in your nation over the years,” Lynch told the gathering at the USA’s 247th Independence Anniversary celebrations, held last evening at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
She referred to the speech she made at a farewell event held a few weeks ago in her honour, when she drew the nexus between the names of local villages and communities and their meanings as a sign of the country’s future. “Like Adventure, Friendship, and Success – whose names also paint a picture of my experience working with all of you in this beautiful land. But, there are also the endearing communities of Charity, Unity, and Triumph, which paint a picture of Guyana’s future as a caring, inclusive, and successful nation.”
The United States envoy promised that this country can “count on me to be your champion for years to come.”
“Your future is bright, Guyana, and like my favourite name of a tiny Guyanese community – Now or Never – Now is your moment, Guyana,” she added.
Reflecting on her tenure, Lynch said that she was proud to lead the embassy team’s in deepening the partnership with citizens, government, and private sector and in civil society, to secure democratic values and those democratic principles.
“Together we have worked in the area of governance to build the capacity of key institutions. We have partnered in the commercial area to see our bilateral trade triple over the past few years; and we have worked on critical issues in the areas of security to ensure that Guyana is a secure nation where citizens feel safe and investments are protected. We are also working on key areas like health care and education to support the betterment of all in Guyana,” she reflected.
For last year alone, the US Ambassador pointed to the return of dozens of Peace Corps volunteers who are once again working across the country in key sectors like education, health, and the environment.
She also listed other achievements for 2022, “The start of the historic Gas-to-Energy project that will provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for Guyanese citizens; the second Caribbean regional security exercise in just two years, Tradewinds, cohosted by US Southern Command and the Guyana Defence Force; dozens of young leaders, professionals, and budding entrepreneurs trained or sent on impactful exchange programmes to the US; a local government election which we observed and which was widely viewed as free and fair; a dramatic increase in US companies, partnering in sectors outside of oil and gas like education, health care, agriculture, and infrastructure.”
“The training of dozens of Guyanese law enforcement officers through partner agencies including Diplomatic Security, the FBI, DHS, DEA; and, a highly productive and fruitful trip to the United States by His Excellency and key members of his Administration to discuss ways in which we can further strengthen and deepen this wonderful partnership,” she added.
Lynch asserted that strong democracies do not just focus internally, as they project their values and their democratic principles externally to help strengthen other nations in their region and across the globe. Guyana, she said, was one such country demonstrating this. “This year, Guyana has not only become a strong leader within CARICOM, especially in the area of food security; but, you have also increased your leadership across the broader hemisphere and on the world stage. I would like to congratulate the Government of Guyana on securing its seat to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, with the election of Dr (Christopher Arif) Bulkan, demonstrating Guyana’s strong commitment to promote and protect human rights in the Americas,” she said.
Further, she added, “I would also like to congratulate you on becoming one of the newest elected non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, with 191 UN member nations casting their ballots for Guyana for this important global position. These are strong signs of confidence by the international community that Guyana wants to contribute to regional and global efforts to strengthen international partnership, the rule of law and to promote peace and stability around the globe.”
For the US Ambassador who came here in March of 2019, she believes that “Guyana is clearly on a unique and amazing journey.”
“The United States has been and will continue to be on this journey with you. I could not be prouder of the enduring partnership between our two nations which I know will continue long past my tenure in Guyana,” she added.
