In a landmark move to bolster regional security and defence, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana yesterday signed a security Common Master Plan.
A release from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the signing ceremony, which took place following a day of intensive dialogue among Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana and Brazil, marks a key step towards enhancing cooperation and addressing shared security challenges.
“The dialogue highlighted the critical importance of a unified approach to understanding the regional strategic defence and security environment. Emphasis was placed on collaborative efforts to combat security threats and address challenges affecting the populations, territories, maritime space, and interests of the countries.”, the release added.
“The signing of the Common Security Master Plan marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts of Guyana, Suriname, Brazil and French Guiana to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens and territories. This collaboration underscores the commitment of the nations to regional security cooperation and paves the way for a more secure and prosperous future”.
The signing ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception hosted by the Guyana Defence Force at Base Camp Ayanganna.
Earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, stressed the need for collective action as he called on nations to harness the power of partnerships to safeguard the Guiana Shield eco-region.
“The power of partnerships must always be emphasised in cross-national interests; we must seek to harness the power of collective action to address the root causes of environmental degradation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Guiana Shield”, he said, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Guiana Shield Dialogue at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.
This dialogue, he said, should address the complex challenges before the Guiana Shield and enable the achievement of the common objectives of protecting the territorial integrity of the nations, coordinating efforts against transnational crimes and paying coordinated attention to environmental and climate security.
“As we gather today, I urge us all to recommit ourselves to protecting the Guiana Shield…We must celebrate our shared heritage and protect it for generations to come”, he urged.
According to DPI, the Prime Minister warned that the Guiana Shield faces grave threats that require a united regional response. He pointed to challenges like deforestation from agriculture and mining, illegal resource extraction, climate change impacts, habitat fragmentation from development, and wildlife trafficking.
He welcomed the creation of biodiversity corridors to connect habitats across borders, facilitating wildlife movement and gene flow, crediting the establishment of the REDD+ for the Guiana Shield Project, which is funded by the EU, French Guiana, and others and aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation across the region.
