Guyana wants UN to be more responsive to needs of people of African descent

Guyana is calling on the United Nations to become more responsive and agile in protecting vulnerable people of African descent, as global crises continue to deepen inequality, poverty and discrimination.

Speaking at the Fifth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn said Guyana believes the UN must be “more nimble in response, delivery, advocacy and protection” to effectively address the growing challenges facing marginalized communities worldwide.

Benn was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs and Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, when she reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international agreements aimed at eliminating racial discrimination, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

“Guyana remains unequivocal in condemning human rights violations and appeals for the rights and respect for the people of African descendants against racial discrimination, social-economic stagnation and other injustices,” Minister Benn said.

She said Guyana commends the Permanent Forum for its renewed focus on advancing and uplifting people of African descent and remains unwavering in condemning human rights violations against those affected by racial discrimination, socio-economic stagnation and injustice. Benn also voiced concern over the worsening global crisis driven by war, conflict, disrupted supply chains, rising food and fuel costs, and climate change, all of which are contributing to higher levels of hunger, poverty and economic vulnerability.

“We are gravely concerned by the global crisis being exacerbated by wars and conflict supply chains disruptions rising cost of food fuel and other essentials and climate change all contributors to increasing levels of hunger poverty, socio-economic poverty and other adverse-economic exposure we condemn the racist and disproportionate treatment of African descent in migrant populations who are in desperate search of safety and secure livelihoods,” the minister said.

The minister further condemned the racist and disproportionate treatment of migrant populations of African descent who are in search of safety and secure livelihoods.

She noted that Guyana is pleased the United Nations has recognised slavery as the gravest crime against humanity, describing that acknowledgment as a vital step in confronting historical injustice and advancing equity for descendants of enslaved peoples.