One month after taking up membership of the United Nations Security, Council, Guyana has taken over the reigns of the Presidency of the Council for the month of February.

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carloyn Rodrigues-Birkett promised that Guyana will use its voice on the Security Council to ensure global peace and security are maintained. 

Guyana’s presence on the Security Council comes amidst the rise in the number of conflicts taking place globally, which has resulted in human rights and other consequences.

With Guyana’s pledge to ensure peace and stability, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett was asked if Guyana will be using its influence on the Council to raise the border controversy with Venezuela.

In response, she said Venezuela is not on the programme of work of the Council, adding that Guyana has not requested any meeting of the Council on the border issue with Venezuela.

“We decided that it was necessary to inform the Council in December of what was happening between our two countries, given the worrying narratives that was coming out at that time from Venezuela and given the responsibility of the Council for international peace and security, we thought it important to inform the council. At this point in time, we do not believe it is a matter we need to bring to the Council again,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett noted.

She also told reporters that it is not a case that the Venezuelan matter is not important, but explained that as it stands now, Guyana and Venezuela agreed to the Argyle declaration, which has calmed the rhetoric coming from Venezuela.

“Of course, the matter is in the hands of the, but consequential matters relating to our cooperation with Venezuela as a neighbor, is included in that joint commission, where those issues will be discussed and a first meeting was held already,” the Ambassador told the Press briefing.

Guyana will serve the UN Security Council for the next two years as a non-permanent member.

The UN Security Council is composed of 15 countries, five of which – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – are permanent members, granting them the right to veto any resolution or decision. 

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