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Speech
25 October 2024
United Nations Day 2024 message by Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator
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Video
24 October 2024
United Nations Day 2024 message by Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator
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Story
18 October 2024
Guyana’s In-Country Review Strengthens National Climate Plans
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Guyana
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity.
Kindly note that the data visualizations show an aggregate of the Caribbean. To view the disaggregated data for Guyana, please select it from the dropdown menu.
Video
02 August 2024
Summit of the Future Dialogue
On 24 July, 2024, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue on the Summit of the Future featuring Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
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Publication
24 May 2024
UN Guyana Annual Results Report 2023
The 2023 Annual Results Report reflects on and highlights the UN System’s continued commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and human rights for all. The publication also marks the culmination of the two-year Country Implementation Plan of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The Guyana Annual Results Report highlights results across four key pillars: Shared Prosperity and Economic Resilience, Equality and Well-being, Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management, and Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law. In 2023, Guyana's global influence grew as it joined the UN Security Council, focusing on climate change and food security. The country showcased progress through its Second Voluntary National Review of the SDGs, where it highlighted achievements in SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. National policies prioritized healthcare, education, water, and social services aligned with the SDGs for inclusivity. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and various other ministries, UN programming prioritized key areas, including social protection, food systems transformation, labor, employment, migration, and gender equality, as well as women’s empowerment. These initiatives were facilitated by strengthened partnerships with civil society organizations, academia, media, and other stakeholders. UN programmes were executed with a focus on inclusivity, ensuring considerations for gender, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, migrant populations, and other vulnerable groups.
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Video
07 February 2024
Programme - Guyana's role on the UN Security Council
In January 2024 Guyana assumed its seat as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term 2024-2025.
Mr. Robert Persaud, Guyana's Foreign Secretary and High Representative for Guyana's UN Security Council Affairs and Yeşim Oruç, UN Resident Coordinator discussed the importance of Guyana's role on the Security Council.
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Story
04 November 2024
Guyana’s In-Country Review Strengthens National Climate Plans
The review, held in Georgetown from 30 September to 4 October 2024, highlighted the benefits of the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) as a vital enabling tool for governments to design stronger national climate policies over time, track implementation of the Paris Agreement commitments and unlock provision of support.
A key outcome of the review is the refinement of Guyana’s climate indicators, which will help strengthen the country’s upcoming national climate plans (nationally determined contributions or NDCs), currently in development.
Recognizing the key role of the forestry and energy sectors in the country’s development, these enhanced indicators are now better aligned with national priorities, making Guyana’s future BTRs more relevant to its NDC and more consistent with ETF guidelines. In addition to the BTR review, the process included a technical analysis of Guyana’s efforts towards Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+).
“This review allowed us to refine our NDC indicators, making them more quantitative and directly applicable to our national circumstances,” said Pradeepa Bholanath Goberdhan, Senior Director for Climate and REDD+ at the Ministry of Natural Resources of Guyana. “This was a valuable learning experience that will enable us to produce impactful reporting that aligns directly with the implementation of our climate programme in the future.”
Guyana’s experience underscores how the in-country review process can provide tangible benefits for countries looking to strengthen their climate action. The process also helped identify areas for capacity-building, allowing Guyana to build on past efforts, such as the Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) and REDD+ initiatives.
This review is more than a technical exercise—it serves as a platform for continuous learning and mutual support. It is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and trust in global climate reporting, making it easier for countries to track progress, address gaps, and ensure that their climate actions are aligned with international commitments.
Guyana, with the second-highest forest cover in the world, has been working with Norway on REDD+ since 2009 to protect its rainforest. In recent years, the country has been exploring renewable and clean energy opportunities, supporting global efforts towards sustainable development.
Guyana’s experience will be showcased at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, during a side event on 18 November titled “Technical Expert Reviews: Unpacking the Guyana Experience.” The event will allow other countries to learn from Guyana’s experience and see how the in-country review process can improve their systems for collecting and assessing climate data, leading to more complete and transparent BTR submissions that support the development of NDCs.
More information on the Enhanced Transparency Framework
This story was first published by UN Climate Change.
A key outcome of the review is the refinement of Guyana’s climate indicators, which will help strengthen the country’s upcoming national climate plans (nationally determined contributions or NDCs), currently in development.
Recognizing the key role of the forestry and energy sectors in the country’s development, these enhanced indicators are now better aligned with national priorities, making Guyana’s future BTRs more relevant to its NDC and more consistent with ETF guidelines. In addition to the BTR review, the process included a technical analysis of Guyana’s efforts towards Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+).
“This review allowed us to refine our NDC indicators, making them more quantitative and directly applicable to our national circumstances,” said Pradeepa Bholanath Goberdhan, Senior Director for Climate and REDD+ at the Ministry of Natural Resources of Guyana. “This was a valuable learning experience that will enable us to produce impactful reporting that aligns directly with the implementation of our climate programme in the future.”
Guyana’s experience underscores how the in-country review process can provide tangible benefits for countries looking to strengthen their climate action. The process also helped identify areas for capacity-building, allowing Guyana to build on past efforts, such as the Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) and REDD+ initiatives.
This review is more than a technical exercise—it serves as a platform for continuous learning and mutual support. It is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and trust in global climate reporting, making it easier for countries to track progress, address gaps, and ensure that their climate actions are aligned with international commitments.
Guyana, with the second-highest forest cover in the world, has been working with Norway on REDD+ since 2009 to protect its rainforest. In recent years, the country has been exploring renewable and clean energy opportunities, supporting global efforts towards sustainable development.
Guyana’s experience will be showcased at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, during a side event on 18 November titled “Technical Expert Reviews: Unpacking the Guyana Experience.” The event will allow other countries to learn from Guyana’s experience and see how the in-country review process can improve their systems for collecting and assessing climate data, leading to more complete and transparent BTR submissions that support the development of NDCs.
More information on the Enhanced Transparency Framework
This story was first published by UN Climate Change.
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Story
04 November 2024
UNHCR and Civil Defence Commission strengthen partnership to enhance emergency support
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Guyana and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the provision of emergency support for forcibly displaced persons and host communities in Guyana. This agreement represents a pivotal milestone in the joint efforts to enhance humanitarian assistance and ensure the safety and dignity of those in need.The MoU establishes a formal framework and procedures that enhance preparedness and response plans for natural disasters and other risks, including Region 1, where many forcibly displaced persons reside. Through this understanding, UNCHR and the CDC aim to leverage the strengths of both organizations to deliver effective support to vulnerable communities and their populations, improving the reach of their services.Over the years, UNHCR has donated to the CDC core relief items such as food hampers, mattresses, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, tarpaulins, solar lamps, office safes, a generator, and outboard engines, boosting the Commission's capacity to respond effectively to emergencies.Deputy Director General of the CDC, Lt. Col. Mark Thomas, expressed sincere gratitude for the donation by the UNHCR. He indicated that the long-standing relationship between both entities has aided many vulnerable communities, especially forcibly displaced people, who have sought relief in Guyana. Lt. Col. Thomas also stated that the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by both agencies strengthens the bond that allows the operational work of assisting forcibly displaced people and the host communities to significantly continue. “Developing contingency plans to respond to disasters is paramount to ensure the protection of displaced persons and host communities. UNHCR is committed to continue working with the CDC to address the urgent protection and humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable populations,” shared Adriana Negry, UNHCR’s Head of Office in Guyana.The MoU strengthens the foundation for continuous joint activities and sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced people and fostering positive relationships within host communities.
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Story
04 October 2024
Ms. Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator presents letters of credence to His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Ms. Jean Kamau, new United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, presented her credentials to His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on 2 October, 2024 at the Office of the President. This presentation signaled the official start of Ms. Kamau’s mandate in Guyana. Ms. Kamau, who is a national of Kenya, is replacing Ms. Yesim Oruç, who served in Guyana for three years.Ms. Kamau has more than 20 years of experience in human rights, women’s rights, peacebuilding, institutional development, governance, and development. Prior to her appointment as the highest-ranking UN Official in Guyana, Ms. Kamau served as a diplomat in the Republic of South Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kingdom of Lesotho and Washington DC. Before joining the diplomatic service, she worked in multiple roles in the public sector and civil society, including as Country Director for Action Aid International in Kenya and Lesotho and as the first Executive Director for the Federation of Women Lawyers, Kenya. Ms. Kamau holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and master’s degree in Democratic Studies from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
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Story
30 September 2024
Guterres to world leaders: Stay committed to UN development goals
“Let’s keep the SDG commitment alive,” he said in remarks to a high-level event at UN Headquarters aimed at shining a spotlight on the 17 Goals, which include ending extreme poverty, reducing inequalities, achieving gender equality and combating climate change.Wealth and know-how existAlthough the SDGs represent a commitment to a better, global future, they are “facing massive headwinds,” he said at the SDG Moment event, noting that more than four out of five targets are off track due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, crushing debt burdens, conflicts, inequalities and other challenges.“The world has the wealth, the technology, and the know-how to achieve the SDGs,” he insisted, before urging leaders to focus on “three development drivers” that can accelerate progress. Financing progress Mr. Guterres underscored the need for finance because “crushing debt and inefficient tax systems are starving investments in health, education and food in many developing countries.” He said the Pact for the Future, adopted by world leaders this past Sunday, includes support for an SDG stimulus plan and reform of the global financial architecture to help ease the debt crisis faced by many developing nations. Climate action plans The Secretary-General urged governments to put forward ambitious national climate action plans that align with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “This requires aligning national energy strategies with a 1.5-degree world, ending fossil fuel subsidies and putting a price on carbon,” he said, while underscoring the need to phase out fossil fuels and scale-up renewable energy. “Protecting development gains from climate upheaval is also critical,” he added, while calling for new and generous contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, and for developing countries to keep their promise to double adaptation funding by 2025. ‘We need peace’ Mr. Guterres stressed the need for peace, the third driver. “All our development plans are quickly erased by relentless conflicts that cause death, destruction, hunger, displacement and gender-based violence,” he said. “We need peace — from Gaza to Ukraine to Sudan and beyond. I call on global leaders to heal divisions, end conflicts, and invest in people and peace.” Stay focused: General Assembly President The President of the UN General Assembly, Philémon Yang, recalled that world leaders adopted a political declaration at the SDG Summit last year, launching a new phase of accelerated action to achieve the Goals. “The challenge before us today is to keep this focus,” he said. “Success is born from determined action. And this is a moment for ambition.” Mr. Yang highlighted the need for commitment to bold and just transitions that will advance food systems, broaden access to renewable energy, expand digital connectivity, and increase opportunities for education and decent work, especially for women and girls. He vowed to make this a priority during his presidency, “with the aim of unlocking the full potential of everyone, everywhere.” Look for SDG ‘multipliers’: Canadian Prime Minister The SDG Moment also saw world leaders, civil society representatives and other prominent persons reflecting on what is needed to accelerate progress towards the Goals.“One of the things that we need to really look at is which of the Goals are most connected to so many others,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, one of 17 SDG Advocates appointed by the Secretary-General. For Mr. Trudeau, the top three “multipliers” are dealing with climate change, ensuring opportunities for women and girls, and increasing youth participation, and he showed how they are linked. For example, he said many young people worldwide are concerned about climate change, “and that's why bringing in their voices to places of leadership, bringing in their concerns, and empowering them to challenge the status quo, is going to be essential - not just in fighting climate change, but in achieving all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals.” ............................................................This story was first published to UN News.
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Story
17 September 2024
Secretary-General appoints Jean Njeri Kamau of Kenya as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana
With the host Government’s approval, Ms. Kamau started her assignment on 15 September. Ms. Kamau brings more than 20 years of experience in human rights, development, political governance, and institutional development. She recently served as Kenya’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union. Previously, she served as a diplomat in the Republic of South Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini and Kingdom of Lesotho and Washington DC. Before joining the diplomatic service, she worked in multiple roles in the public sector and civil society, including as Country Director for Action Aid International in Kenya and Lesotho and as the first Executive Director for the Federation of Women Lawyers, Kenya. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and master’s degree in Democratic Studies from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
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Press Release
09 October 2024
United Nations Development Programme in Guyana partners with the Ethnic Relations Commission to address hate speech in Guyana, support institutional strengthening and build public resilience against it
This partnership comes when Guyana prepares for the 2025 General Elections, a period that historically witnesses a surge in ethnic and racial hate speech.In an age of unprecedented information access, a click, a swipe, or a scroll can open a constant stream of news, articles and social media posts competing for our attention. However, within this ocean of data lies a hidden danger: hate speech from information pollution. Understood as the spread of false, misleading, manipulated and otherwise harmful messages, information pollution can quietly shape opinions, instigate conflict, and erode trust in reliable information. As experienced during the pandemic and now with the multiple crises worldwide, information pollution is threatening our ability to make informed decisions, participate in democratic processes, and contribute to the building of inclusive, peaceful and just societies. In fact, the United Nations Secretary-General has identified this phenomenon as a major contemporary threat, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat it.In this scenario, UNDP, as the largest United Nations provider of electoral assistance and with extensive experience in the field of democratic strengthening, is developing a series of innovative tools to support national, regional, and global efforts to promote information integrity and the resilience of information systems. Similarly, the ERC, being a constitutional entity mandated to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination, has long recognized the impact of hate speech on societal divisions and is committed to proactive measures to counteract it. As part of the MoU, UNDP will provide comprehensive support to the ERC, including:1. Technical assistance to strengthen ERC’s existing methodologies for mapping and countering disinformation and hate speech.
2. Strengthen ERC’s capacities to access social media data, providing crucial insights into information pollution.
3. Enhancing the ERC’s technological infrastructure to better respond to these challenges.Central to this initiative is the ‘Digital Kit for Democracy,’ which includes the powerful eMonitor+ system—a state-of-the-art social media monitoring and analysis tool that leverages artificial intelligence to track and analyse harmful content across various platforms. eMonitor+ facilitates the extraction and analysis of thousands of pieces of information from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and others. This information increases knowledge of pernicious phenomena in the information ecosystems of countries and regions.Furthermore, as it is deployed simultaneously in various countries with different information dynamics, eMonitor+ is helping establish a standardized language and comparative data collection, analysis, and dissemination methodologies, so that cross-border dialogue, learning and cooperation can be facilitated. This makes eMonitor+ particularly useful in contexts with little research or data available on these topics. Only in 2024, six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have started implementing eMonitor+ (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela), and have since accessed a portfolio of good practices, innovative approaches, and partnership possibilities to tackle electoral mis/disinformation and hate speech. The UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana and Surinam, Mr. Gerardo Noto said, "by equipping the ERC with the tools and methodologies to combat hate speech and misinformation, we are taking proactive measures to strengthen democracy and promote social cohesion."The Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, noted that “the ERC launched a proactive Countering Hate Speech campaign aimed at reducing racial and ethnic violations in the lead-up to the elections. The E-Monitoring Tool will be instrumental in enhancing our capacity to capture a wider reach of content. This innovative, automated system will efficiently identify key words and phrases that are racially and ethnically offensive, allowing us to respond more swiftly and effectively.”Through this collaboration, the ERC will enhance its Media Monitoring Unit's capacity to identify and address racially- and ethnically-motivated hate speech, disinformation, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The implementation of eMonitor+ will provide ERC with the necessary tools to extract and analyse large volumes of data, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by information pollution.The signing of the MOU forms part of the wider ERC-UN System campaign to ‘Counter Hate Speech’, which was launched in June 2024. This campaign is an element of UN Guyana’s national implementation of the global United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which highlights the UN’s ongoing commitment to promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.As this initiative unfolds, both UNDP and ERC look forward to setting a benchmark for collaboration against information pollution in the region, ultimately working toward a more equitable and democratic future for all Guyanese citizens.
2. Strengthen ERC’s capacities to access social media data, providing crucial insights into information pollution.
3. Enhancing the ERC’s technological infrastructure to better respond to these challenges.Central to this initiative is the ‘Digital Kit for Democracy,’ which includes the powerful eMonitor+ system—a state-of-the-art social media monitoring and analysis tool that leverages artificial intelligence to track and analyse harmful content across various platforms. eMonitor+ facilitates the extraction and analysis of thousands of pieces of information from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and others. This information increases knowledge of pernicious phenomena in the information ecosystems of countries and regions.Furthermore, as it is deployed simultaneously in various countries with different information dynamics, eMonitor+ is helping establish a standardized language and comparative data collection, analysis, and dissemination methodologies, so that cross-border dialogue, learning and cooperation can be facilitated. This makes eMonitor+ particularly useful in contexts with little research or data available on these topics. Only in 2024, six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have started implementing eMonitor+ (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela), and have since accessed a portfolio of good practices, innovative approaches, and partnership possibilities to tackle electoral mis/disinformation and hate speech. The UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana and Surinam, Mr. Gerardo Noto said, "by equipping the ERC with the tools and methodologies to combat hate speech and misinformation, we are taking proactive measures to strengthen democracy and promote social cohesion."The Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, noted that “the ERC launched a proactive Countering Hate Speech campaign aimed at reducing racial and ethnic violations in the lead-up to the elections. The E-Monitoring Tool will be instrumental in enhancing our capacity to capture a wider reach of content. This innovative, automated system will efficiently identify key words and phrases that are racially and ethnically offensive, allowing us to respond more swiftly and effectively.”Through this collaboration, the ERC will enhance its Media Monitoring Unit's capacity to identify and address racially- and ethnically-motivated hate speech, disinformation, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The implementation of eMonitor+ will provide ERC with the necessary tools to extract and analyse large volumes of data, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by information pollution.The signing of the MOU forms part of the wider ERC-UN System campaign to ‘Counter Hate Speech’, which was launched in June 2024. This campaign is an element of UN Guyana’s national implementation of the global United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which highlights the UN’s ongoing commitment to promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.As this initiative unfolds, both UNDP and ERC look forward to setting a benchmark for collaboration against information pollution in the region, ultimately working toward a more equitable and democratic future for all Guyanese citizens.
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Press Release
07 August 2024
Ms. Yeşim Oruç, United Nations Resident Coordinator departs Guyana
During her tenure, Ms. Oruç has sought to lead the United Nations system to support the government and people of Guyana to ensure that no-one, regardless of their circumstances, status or identity, is left behind from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ms. Oruç has coordinated the UN System’s support to national authorities in key areas, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, social protection, food systems transformation, labor, employment, and migration. These initiatives were facilitated by strengthened partnerships with development partners, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, academia, civil society, youth, the media, among others.Ms. Oruç has worked to align the UN’s programmatic portfolio in Guyana in support of national development priorities for achieving the SDGs. In so doing, she put inclusivity at the center of the UN’s work. This has resulted in a renewed focus on the situation of women and girls, young people, persons living with disabilities, Guyana’s indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV/AIDS, migrant populations, and other vulnerable groups living in Guyana.“It has been the privilege of my life to serve in a country where a dynamic commitment to global goals is embodied in the national Low Carbon Development Strategy, backed by successive SDG-enabling national budgets. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to have accompanied this remarkable country on its amazing journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am also fortunate to have worked with some incredible people who are committed to helping Guyana to honour its human rights commitments. In recent months, it has been inspiring to witness Guyana take up its place on the UN Security Council, where today it is striving to ensure that topics like food security and climate security are placed right at the very top of the global agenda,” said Oruc.Ms. Oruç’s successor will be announced in another release.
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Press Release
24 July 2024
New UNAIDS report shows Caribbean AIDS epidemic can be ended by 2030, but only if leaders boost resources to prevent new infections and put people on treatment and human rights are protected
Kingston, 22 July 2024—A new report released today by UNAIDS shows the world is at a critical moment that will determine whether world leaders meet their commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The report, ‘The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads’, brings together new data and case studies which demonstrate that the decisions and policy choices taken by world leaders this year will decide the fate of millions of lives and whether the world’s deadliest pandemic is overcome. While the end of AIDS is within our grasp, the data show the world is off track. Of the 39.9 million people living with HIV globally, 9.3 million, nearly a quarter, are not receiving life-saving treatment. Consequently, a person dies from AIDS-related causes every minute. In the Caribbean, there has been substantial progress against HIV since 2010, but the reduction in the annual number of new HIV infections slowed down over the past five years. At the end of 2023, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, the larger countries in the region, accounted for almost 90% of new infections—with Haiti alone accounting for more than one third (38%) of new HIV infections. People from key populations and their sex partners continued to account for 47% of new infections in 2022.The report finds that if leaders take the bold actions needed now to ensure sufficient and sustainable resourcing and protect everyone’s human rights, the number of people living with HIV worldwide, requiring life-long treatment, will settle at around 29 million by 2050 but if they take the wrong path, the number of people who will need life-long support will rise to 46 million (compared to 39.9 million in 2023). “World leaders pledged to end the AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030, and they can uphold their promise, but only if they ensure that the HIV response has the resources it needs and that the human rights of everyone are protected,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “Leaders can save millions of lives, prevent millions of new HIV infections, and ensure that everyone living with HIV can live healthy, full lives.” The report shows treatment coverage continued to expand in the Caribbean, but significant challenges remain as it relates to late diagnosis and enrolling and keeping people living with HIV in care. At the end of 2023, an estimated 85% of people living with HIV knew their status, 70% of all people living with HIV were on treatment, and 61% of all people living with HIV were virally suppressed. The percentage of people living with HIV who were on treatment and virally suppressed rose from 79% in 2018 to 87% in 2023. Treatment coverage was 78% among women (aged 15+ years) and 65% among men (aged 15+ years). Paediatric treatment coverage, at 39%, was, however, much lower than adult treatment coverage in 2023 and late diagnosis of advanced HIV disease (AIDS) remains a significant challenge in the region.The expansion of people accessing treatment is a landmark public health achievement that has seen AIDS-related deaths in the Caribbean fall by 57% since 2010—but a worrying increase has been reported in Belize, Cuba, Guyana, and Suriname.“Prioritising targeted interventions, community-led responses, and integration to leave no one behind; bolstering treatment accessibility and retention in care; advocating for legal reforms; and challenging harmful gender and other social norms will go a long way to address the root causes of risk and vulnerability of people living with, and most affected by, HIV,” said UNAIDS Multi-Country Director for the Caribbean, Dr Richard Amenyah. “There is a great need to strengthen partnerships with communities and enhance the role of civil society to reach vulnerable and at-risk groups that are hard to reach with HIV services or find it difficult, for whatever reason, to engage our health facilities.”The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads, shows that decisions taken this year will determine if global targets are met, AIDS is ended as a public health threat by 2030, and a sustainable HIV response is built. The report demonstrates that HIV prevention and treatment services will only reach people if human rights are upheld, if unfair laws against women and against marginalized communities are scrapped, and if discrimination and violence are tackled head on.“Like the title of the report tells us, we are at a crossroads. We can take the road that continues to punish people for who they are, who they love, how they work, and that is the road through which we can never end aids as a public health thread”, says Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Or we can choose the road of rights protections, of respecting others, of following the science and the evidence. This is the road that has led to reductions in new infections and to healthy lives.”ContactUNAIDS Caribbean | Jaevion Nelson | tel. +1 876 459 3211 | nelsonj@unaids.orgUNAIDS Latin America & the Caribbean | Daniel de Castro | tel. +507 6998 3175 | decastrod@unaids.org UNAIDSThe Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Press Release
28 June 2024
With less than one fifth of targets on track, world is failing to deliver on promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, warns new UN report
New York, 28 June 2024 – With just six years remaining, current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without massive investment and scaled up action, the achievement of the SDGs — the blueprint for a more resilient and prosperous world and the roadmap out of current global crises — will remain elusive, warns The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, launched today.A world in great upheavalThe report reveals that only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are currently on track, with nearly half showing minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third stalled or regressing. The lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and growing climate chaos have severely hindered progress.According to the report, an additional 23 million people were pushed into extreme poverty and over 100 million more were suffering from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019. The number of civilian deaths in armed conflict skyrocketed in 2023. That year was also the warmest on record, with global temperatures nearing the critical 1.5°C threshold.A moment of choice and consequence“This report highlights the urgent need for stronger and more effective international cooperation to maximize progress starting now,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “With more than six years left, we must not let up on our 2030 promise to end poverty, protect the planet and leave no one behind.”Urgent priorities:Financing development: The SDG investment gap in developing countries now stands at $4 trillion per year. Developing countries require more financial resources and fiscal space. Reforming the global financial architecture is crucial to unlocking the volume of financing required to spur sustainable development.Peace and security: The number of forcibly displaced people has reached an unprecedented level, nearly 120 million by May 2024. Civilian casualties spiked by 72 per cent between 2022 and 2023 amid escalating violence, highlighting the urgent need for peace. Resolving ongoing conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy is essential.Implementation surge: Massive investment and effective partnerships are needed to drive critical transitions in food, energy, social protection, digital connectivity and more.Success stories and opportunities for actionThe report spotlights examples of success and resilience that can be built upon through decisive action.The remarkable recent strides in deploying renewable energy, for example, highlight a clear pathway to a just energy transition. Girls in most regions have achieved parity and even pulled ahead of boys in completing schooling at all levels. Increasing internet access by about 70 per cent in just eight years also illustrates how rapid transformative change is possible. Similarly, decades of progress against HIV/AIDS provide a template for overcoming other pandemics through global solidarity and funding for scientific breakthroughs.“Time and again, humanity has demonstrated that when we work together and apply our collective mind, we can forge solutions to seemingly intractable problems,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.Key moments for the SDGsThe Summit of the Future, taking place on 22 to 23 September at UN Headquarters in New York, will be pivotal to getting the world back on track to achieving the SDGs. Deliberations at the Summit will include addressing the debt crisis that is holding so many developing countries back and the urgent need for reform of the international financial architecture.According to the report, both the Financing for Development Conference and the World Summit for Social Development in 2025 will be key moments to drive SDG momentum. But as Mr. Li stressed: “The time for words has passed – the political declarations must urgently translate into actions. We must act now, and act boldly.”Key findings:• For the first time this century, per-capita GDP growth in half of the world’s most vulnerable nations is slower than that of advanced economies.Nearly 60 per cent of countries faced moderately to abnormally high food prices in 2022.Based on data collected in 2022 in 120 countries, 55 per cent of the countries lackednon-discrimination laws that prohibit direct and indirect discrimination against women.Increased access to treatment has averted 20.8 million AIDS-related deaths in the pastthree decades.Progress on education remains of grave concern, with only 58 per cent of studentsworldwide achieving minimum proficiency in reading by the end of primary school.Global unemployment hit a historic low of 5 per cent in 2023, yet persistent roadblocksremain in achieving decent work.Global capacity to generate electricity from renewable energy has begun expanding atan unprecedented rate, growing at 8.1 per cent annually for the past five years.Mobile broadband (3G or higher) is accessible to 95 per cent of the world's population,up from 78 per cent in 2015.Record high ocean temperatures have triggered a fourth global coral bleaching event.External debt stock levels have remained unprecedentedly high in developing countries.About 60 per cent of low-income countries are at high risk of debt distress or already experiencing it.More Information:For more information, please visit: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/ Hashtags: #SDGreport #SDGs #GlobalGoalsMedia contacts (interviews available upon request):
Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications, birchs@un.org
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org
Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications, birchs@un.org
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org
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Press Release
24 June 2024
University of Guyana Hosts Panel Discussion on Inclusion and Acceptance for World Refugee Day
The event at the University of Guyana aimed to foster communication and information sharing about global displacement and in Guyana. Distinguished speakers included Dr. Coreen Jacobs-Chester, Director of the International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies; Adriana Negry, Head of UNHCR National Office; and Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor XI of the University of Guyana.Dr. Coreen Jacobs-Chester stated that “International Days are occasions to educate, inform, explain, and raise awareness among the public. World Refugee Day, 2024, is no different, as the University of Guyana, international organizations, and civil society use this day as a springboard to raise awareness of the ever-present issue of forced displacement globally. Overall, World Refugee Day is a day to recognize the dignity and humanity of refugees and commit to building a world where everyone can live safely and in peace”.In her speech, Ms. Adriana Negry emphasized the crucial role of solidarity and unity in addressing the forced displacement crisis. She stated, “World Refugee Day theme of this year, “For a world where refugees are welcome,” highlights the crucial role of solidarity and unity, a reminder that our shared humanity binds us together. Building bridges creates pathways to understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect.”The panel discussion featured experts in protection and inclusion, including Francesca Tomasso and Jenel Greene from UNHCR, Lyn Morales from HIAS, and Sharon James, Founder of the Least of These Foundation. The discussion centered on key issues and opportunities for enhancing refugee support and integration in Guyana, focusing on gender and child-specific perspectives.During the event, organizers invited the winners of the UNHCR’s World Refugee Day Poetry Contest 2024, 13-year-old Guyatri Praimchan, with her poem “Refugees, they are just like you and me,” and 14-year-old Zariah Kowlessar, with her poem “Somewhere between Then and Now,” to read their poems on stage. The World Refugee Day Poetry Contest allows children and adolescents from the forcibly displaced and host communities to share their experiences and talents.About the University of Guyana: The University of Guyana is the leading higher education institution in Guyana, committed to the pursuit of knowledge, research, and community engagement. Through its various programs and initiatives, the University aims to contribute to the development and well-being of Guyana and its people. About UNHCR: UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect and assist refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.About World Refugee Day: World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees worldwide. It falls each year on June 20th and celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
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