New SG discusses border controversy with Venezuela

Recently appointed Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres has begun meetings on the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

According to a short statement from the United Nations, the Secretary-General met on Monday (January 16, 2017) with H.E. Delcy Rodríguez, the Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

They discussed the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and latest developments in that country, the UN said.

In December 2016, former Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon informed the two countries of his decision to give the ‘good offices’ process one last period of twelve months, that is to the end of 2017. If at the end of that period, the Secretary-General concludes that significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the border controversy, the U.N will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.

Following his assumption to office, the Secretary-General has committed to serve as a peace broker, a bridge-builder and a promoter of reform and innovation.