Guyana needs int’l support to combat challenges, foster development – Finance Minister

Guyana is committed to the global developmental agenda outlined by the United Nations (UN) more so since the country understands the importance of sustainable development amid the threat of numerous disasters.

This is according to Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who spoke at the signing of the UN’s new multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) agreement at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

This agreement covers the period 2022 to 2026. It is a development cooperation agreement that aims to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Importantly, the agreement identifies common challenges faced by countries in the Caribbean region and positions the UN to complement national development efforts.

And Dr. Singh pointed out, “Climate change represents one of a few extremely good illustrations of the importance of global action and global commitment.

“Guyanese domestic action alone will not suffice to contain the scourge of continuously rising sea levels.”

The threat of climate change is one that has a serious effect on Guyana and small island developing states since these countries are at risk of massive flooding. And without global cooperation, these countries will face challenges.

Generally, the SDGs set out a global vision for a world free from poverty, hunger and disease and where people have access to the resources and opportunities to live quality lives.  The signing of this new framework agreement places Guyana on a path to collaborate with the UN bodies to achieve these goals and thus, improve the lives of its people.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira agreed that global partnership is necessary to foster sustainable development and combat the threats faced.

“Global partnerships and global countries and organisations working together for the betterment of our people, individually and our countries, as well as globally, is the only model that we know,” she emphasised.

Already, the UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana Yesim Oruc acknowledged that Guyana has been making good progress in all areas of sustainable development.

And so, she committed her support- as well as that of the other UN bodies- to help Guyana continue achieving sustainable development. The focus will also be placed on ensuring that the country’s own national priorities align with those of the global vision.