President Irfaan Ali told a high-level forum of the United Nations General Assembly this morning that Guyana’s honouring of its ethnic diversity could be a shining example to the rest of the world.

However, he noted that in the political arena, race continues to be used to promote tensions in society.

According to the President, social media is also being used as the new platform to create racial problems.

“Social media while a powerful tool to inform people is also being misused. The Government of Guyana will continue to work assiduously to eradicate all forms of racism and racial discrimination and to ensure inclusive development with equal access and sharing of Guyana’s wealth,” the President assured.

During his address to the UN General Assembly’s commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on Racism, the President said although there have been advances after decades of struggle, racism and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in every region of the world.

“I am proud to belong to a country, that honours and celebrates its ethnic diversity. Our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we can be a wonderful example to the world,” the President told the forum.

The President said Guyana fully supports reparations, adding that the abolition of slavery was a defining moment in Guyana’s history.

“Every year on Emancipation Day, we recall the heroic courage and sacrifices of our African ancestors in their struggle for freedom and human dignity,” Mr. Ali noted.

Since taking office in August last year, the Ali-led administration has found itself on multiple occasions in the spotlight for claims of discrimination, particularly against Afro-Guyanese.

The President has shrugged off many of the claims while committing his government to fight racism on every front.

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