Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations

06/13/2026

06/10/2026

Statement by Alicia Jerome-Reece, Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, at the 19th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during round table 1: Creating a World Free from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse for All Persons with Disabilities - 10 June 2026

Thank you Chair,
Guyana thanks the panelists for their contributions and welcomes these discussions on creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse for all persons with disabilities.

Guyana’s constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. We have made advances in our legislative, institutional and support measures to prevent and respond to exploitation, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities.

Our Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act strengthens protection for persons with disabilities by recognizing disability within the context of vulnerability. It imposes stringent penalties for offenders and provides victim assistance and training that is responsive to the specific needs of victims, including persons with disabilities.

Guyana’s Family Violence Act of 2024 strengthens legal safeguards, including for persons with disabilities. The Act ensures that abuse occurring within care or support arrangements is addressed and that persons with disabilities are afforded appropriate protection.

These protections are complemented by responsive services, including shelters, psychosocial support and case management referrals. A hotline service facilitates reporting of all forms of violence and abuse and connects survivors to essential support services.

Access to justice is also advanced through legal aid support, court accessibility measures, online participation, E-litigation and a Family Court and a Mental Health Court.

Guyana will continue its efforts to strengthen these mechanisms and public awareness, while fostering close collaboration with persons with disabilities, their representative organisations and partners to advance protection from exploitation, violence and abuse.

I thank you.

Video source: UN Web Tv

06/09/2026

Statement by Her Excellency Arya Ali, First Lady of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, at the 19th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, under theme “CRPD at 20: Celebrating and Consolidating Achievements and Shaping the Next Phase of Implementation in a Changing World” - 9June 2026

Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Twenty years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we are provided with an opportunity to reflect on the progress and the work still to be done.

The adoption of the Convention marked a transformative step forward, driving efforts to dismantle institutional and societal barriers and empower persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in society.

In Guyana, the principles of the Convention continue to guide national efforts to create a more inclusive society. Through legislative reforms, policy development, and targeted programmes, Guyana has adopted a multifaceted approach to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy equal treatment, expanded opportunities, and greater participation in national life.

Guyana continues to expand its financial support for persons with disabilities. This includes increases in the permanent disability grant, which beneficiaries receive for life, monthly public assistance and periodic cash grants.

Additionally, we continue to invest in initiatives to improve workforce participation and financial inclusion – such as skills development programmes; zero interest financing; and public-private partnerships which create pathways for employment and entrepreneurship.

The Business Centre for Persons with Disabilities was established last year and offers specialized skills development training and employment for persons with disabilities. The Centre currently employs more than one hundred persons with disabilities.

In 2025, we opened the country’s first school that offers specialized services for children with hearing impairments. This year, we will establish Guyana’s first specialized school for children with autism.

Chair,
While these achievements are encouraging, significant challenges remain, not only in Guyana but across many countries.

Developing countries require enhanced access to modern disability-support technologies, to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from the latest developments in innovation and rehabilitation.

Guyana looks forward to the continued implementation of the Convention, being underscored by stronger partnerships and collaboration amongst governments, persons with disabilities, international organizations, and technology stakeholders.
I thank you.

Video source: UN Web Tv

06/09/2026

Happening now: Her Excellency Arya Ali, First Lady of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is leading a delegation to the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The delegation comprises Ganesh Singh, Programme Manager, Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Mrs. Alicia Jerome-Reece, Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance .

H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Deputy Permanent Representative, Marissa Edwards, Minister Counsellor, Stephanie Savory, First Secretary and Abosede Hazlewood, Second Secretary, comprise the team from Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

The Conference of States Parties is held annually, since 2008, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, covering a range of themes and issues on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The 19th Session is being held from 9-11 June 2026, under the theme 'CRPD at 20: celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.'

06/07/2026

The Caucus of Permanent Representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to the United Nations, convened on 5 June 2026 for its 2026 annual retreat. Guyana is Chair of the Caucus for May and June 2026 and the retreat was convened under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations.

The Caucus of Permanent Representatives holds an annual retreat to review CARICOM’s engagement at the United Nations, as well as other matters of priority. In this context, the discussions at this year’s retreat centered around the issues of highest priority to the Community at this juncture. The Permanent Representatives took several key decisions to further strengthen CARICOM’s visibility, engagement and impact at the United Nations.

06/02/2026

Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN, Ms. Abosede Hazlewood, has been elected to serve as Vice Chair of Bureau of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) for the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.

Ms. Hazlewood has been Guyana’s expert on the Third Committee for the past few years. Last year, she co-led negotiations on behalf of the Group of 77 and China towards a Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases.

06/02/2026

Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, Ambassador Trishala Persaud, has been elected by the United Nations General Assembly as Chair of the Sixth Committee for the 81st Session. The Sixth Committee is the primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the General Assembly.

In brief remarks, after her election by acclamation, Ambassador Persaud thanked member States and the regional group of Latin America and the Caribbean, which she represents, for the support and the trust placed in Guyana to chair the Committee, stating that it is a great honour for Guyana, and for her personally, and to serve in this capacity. She committed to working with all delegations towards inclusive, transparent and productive discussions within the Sixth Committee.

She said “Guyana has been consistent in its commitment to the United Nations Charter and the rules-based international order. We firmly believe that adherence to international law is critical to maintaining peace and security. At a time when international law is being tested and there are many new developments in our world requiring consideration of legal questions and potential legal frameworks, the work of Sixth Committee is of paramount importance.”

06/01/2026

9th Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All Its Aspects

Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations and Chair of the CARICOM Caucus of Permanent Representatives for May and June 2026, on Agenda Item 7: Consideration of Implementation of the UN PoA and the International Instrument (ITI) to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit SALW, Including Prevention and Detection of Diversion of SALW to Unauthorized Recipients and Illicit Markets - 1 June 2026

Thank you, Chair,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the fourteen Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

We take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as Chair of this process and commend the collaborative, inclusive, and facilitative approach undertaken during the preparatory process. You can count on the continued support of our delegations during the BMS9 process.

We also wish to take this opportunity to extend congratulations to Ambassador Michael Kanu of Sierra Leone on his election as Chair of the Open-Ended Technical Expert Group and look forward to contributing to a robust discussion during the sessions of the OETEG.

Chair,
CARICOM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI). For our region, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a profound threat to peace, security, and sustainable development.

The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons continues to fuel violent crime, enable gangs and transnational organized criminal networks, undermine the rule of l aw, impede socio-economic progress, and undermine the stability of our small and vulnerable states.

We are particularly concerned by the persistent flows of illicit fi****ms into the Caribbean, usually facilitated through diversion from legal markets, weak stockpile management, and increasingly sophisticated trafficking methods. CARICOM, therefore, underscores the need to address this challenge through strengthened international cooperation, shared responsibility, and enhanced accountability among all States.

The Caribbean Community also underscores the importance of preventing and detecting diversion at every stage of the life cycle of small arms and light weapons. In this regard, we call for strengthened controls over marking, record-keeping, and tracing, in full accordance with the ITI. Effective tracing remains an essential tool in disrupting illicit supply chains and bringing greater transparency to global arms flows.

We also note the growing impact of technological developments for the implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument. While innovations such as digital record systems and improved marking technologies can significantly enhance implementation, emerging risks, such as easy access to 3D printing, challenges posed by modular weapons, the increasing use of polymer components, obliterated serial numbers, conversion devices, and new manufacturing techniques, present serious challenges for regulation, tracing, law enforcement, and community safety, and require urgent attention. CARICOM supports continued dialogue on how to responsibly leverage technology while addressing its potential misuse in facilitating illicit trafficking and diversion.

At the regional level, CARICOM continues to translate global commitments into practical implementation. The Caribbean Fi****ms Roadmap, supported by CARICOM IMPACS and other partners, provides a structured regional framework to strengthen regulatory systems, reduce illicit flows, bolster law-enforcement capacity, and decrease the risk of diversion from government and non-government arsenals. Through regional cooperation, Member States are also advancing marking, record-keeping, tracing, ballistic cooperation, crime-gun intelligence, physical security and stockpile management, weapons and ammunition management, and safe, secure, and sustainable disposal. These efforts demonstrate the value of regional and subregional mechanisms as force multipliers for small states.

Capacity constraints remain a major challenge for many CARICOM Member States. We therefore stress the importance of sustained, predictable, and targeted international assistance, including technical support, training, and resource mobilization, to strengthen national control systems, law enforcement capabilities, and border security. Enhancing regional cooperation mechanisms is equally vital, including through information sharing and coordinated operations.

CARICOM further underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that situates implementation of the PoA and ITI within broader efforts to address transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking and other illicit networks connected to the illegal arms trade.

In closing, CARICOM reaffirms its steadfast commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument. We remain ready to work in close partnership with all stakeholders to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and to advance safer and more secure societies for our peoples.

Thank You.

Video source: UN Web Tv

06/01/2026

Taking place now:

CARICOM-sponsored Side Event on "Shared Security in the Western Hemisphere on Illicit Fi****ms Trafficking and Preventing Diversion in the Caribbean. Organized by CARICOM Missions to the UN together with CARICOM IMPACS and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), the Side Event seeks to promote international cooperation in accelerating the shift from policy dialogue and strategic frameworks to implementation, measurable outcomes and sustained security and development impact.

H.E. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett addressed the meeting in her capacity as Chair of the CARICOM Caucus of Permanent Representatives for the Month of May and June 2026.