By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
The United Nations (UN) Guyana office on Friday hosted an Open Day at its Kingston headquarters to commemorate United Nations Day, reaffirming global cooperation and shared responsibility toward peace, climate justice, and equality.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira underscored the importance of multilateralism and diplomacy in resolving international conflicts and promoting sustainable development.
Minister Teixeira noted that Guyana’s government remains committed to working alongside the United Nations to advance the goals of peace, democracy, and climate resilience.
“We are on record with our positions on apartheid and Palestine, and in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals and peaceful resolutions,” she said.
Teixeira also reiterated Guyana’s firm stance against unilateralism, adding that development cannot occur without democracy and stability.
“We stand firmly with the UN. We oppose unilateralism and stand for peace and security. You cannot have development unless you have democracy,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, Jean Kamau, United Nations Resident Representative, reflected on the organization’s long-standing relationship with Guyana.
“The UN is now 80 years old, and here in Guyana we celebrate 59 years of presence. Over time, the UN has grown in both size and the scope of its services,” Kamau stated.
UNICEF’s Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Gabriel Vockel, emphasized the organization’s mission of supporting the government to protect and empower the nation’s children.
“Our core role is to support the Government of Guyana in ensuring that every child is educated, protected, and given opportunities. We continue to partner with Parliament and civil society,” Vockel explained.
Representatives from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party, including Dr. Ryan Richards, an incoming Member of Parliament, and Leola Narine, Regional Democratic Councillor for Region 10, also shared their reflections.
Dr. Richards highlighted the interactive booths and awareness exhibits on issues such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and socioeconomic empowerment, calling them “informative and impactful.”
Councillor Narine, who also works within the public sector, expressed enthusiasm about applying the knowledge gained from the event to initiatives within her community.
“I am from Region Ten, and I’d like to bring some of the ideas offered here today back to my region,” Narine said.
The annual observance of UN Day, first celebrated in 1948, marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter on October 24, 1945, symbolizing the establishment of the United Nations as a force for peace, cooperation, and human rights worldwide.
