United Nations 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.

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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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01 December 2024

Taking the Rights Path to End AIDS in Guyana

On December 1st, the world commemorates World AIDS Day, reflecting on the progress made in responding to the HIV epidemic and recommitting to the journey ahead. This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” underscores the indispensable role of human rights in achieving disease elimination nationally and the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. For Guyana, this theme holds particular significance as the country confronts a rise in new HIV infections, which disproportionately affects key populations and young people.The Current Landscape of Guyana's HIV Response Guyana has made considerable progress since the first reported case of AIDS in Guyana in 1987, and today the country continues to invest strategically in the achievement of 95-95-95 targets, that is, the ambition to ensure that 95% of all persons living with HIV know their status, 95% of persons who know their status are on treatment and 95% on treatment are virally suppressed.At the end of last year, Guyana recorded results of 94% - 72% - 87% against these benchmarks, (National AIDS Programme 2023 Annual Report). According to the 2024 Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) Report, about 7,000 of the estimated 10,000 people in Guyana who live with HIV already access free HIV treatment that is provided by the Government. National authorities have also taken steps to provide Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to key populations and improve coverage of social protection measures for persons living with HIV who are eligible for social assistance.In this broader context of investment and advancement, Guyana is facing up to a concerning rise in new infections, highlighting the urgent need for sustained and targeted action. According to the 2024 GAM Report, new infections have increased by 19% in the period since 2010. HIV prevalence is 1.5% among the general population while high HIV rates persist among gay men and other men who have sex with men (7.7%), transgender persons (11.1%), and sex workers (2.2%) as reported in the 2021 Bio Behavioural Social Survey (BBSS). Hence, the HIV epidemic in Guyana is mixed in characterization, with marginalized key populations being disproportionately affected, further amplifying the challenges faced by these groups. Adolescents and young people, aged 15-24 years, are particularly affected: these demographics accounted for 14% of the 580 new infections recorded in 2023 (UNAIDS HIV Spectrum Estimates 2023). Over the past decade, HIV prevalence in this age group has increased slightly, from 0.2% to 0.3%. Young women have become more vulnerable, with incidence rates rising by 12% since 2010 Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) Report 2024.Late diagnosis of people living with HIV is a real concern because advanced HIV disease contributes significantly to preventable AIDS-related deaths and exacerbates the health and economic burden on families and the healthcare system. To reverse the trend in new HIV cases, it is critical to break down these systemic barriers and ensure equitable access to prevention, testing, and treatment services, with a focus on the human rights and the needs of the most vulnerable populations. Removing Barriers and Prioritizing Human RightsHuman rights are fundamental to the health and well-being of every individual. They are central to ending AIDS as a public health threat, and their full realization is an essential element of human dignity. The universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of human rights are critical to achieving our collective development goals. Ending HIV in Guyana, therefore, demands a rights-centered approach. That means taking another close look at laws that have real-world discriminatory effects, including those that make same sex relationships a crime. It means scrutinizing laws that inadequately protect the interests of key populations or are insufficient to combat stigma. It means stopping the breaches of confidentiality that deter persons living with HIV from seeking care, and the social judgement that accompanies such breaches.The ongoing Stigma Index 2.0 survey will provide good data on the experiences of people living with HIV and key populations on the impact of stigma and discrimination on their ability to access services. Empowering community-led organizations is vital as they can be effective in creating safe spaces for vulnerable groups. This can only happen with sustained funding and partnerships to scale up their impact.To end the HIV epidemic trajectory, we call on lawmakers to once again review all laws that have discriminatory effects and limit access to HIV and broader health services. We further call for renewed efforts to reduce stigma through targeted training for healthcare providers, to address self-stigma at the household and community level and implement mechanisms to document and address rights violations. Investing in community-based interventions to scale up services across the regions, at the primary healthcare level, especially for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis via the innovative “Lash Bags” or sex baggies which contains self-testing kits, PrEP, condoms and lubricants will be critical.Additionally, educational information provided during outreach services by healthcare workers or community workers; expanding access to combination prevention tools and leveraging digital platforms for outreach are essential steps and are equally important. Strategic prioritization of human rights across health and social sectors, meaningful and greater involvement and empowerment of communities living with or affected by HIV and civil society, and most importantly continuous commitment of the Government to sustainable financing of the HIV response from domestic resources will be key to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The United Nations commends the Ministry of Health for its exemplary leadership in forging strategic partnerships with civil society and development actors to address the public health challenge of HIV. Through this collaborative effort, Guyana is poised to regain control over the epidemic and ensure a sustainable HIV response for the future.A Call to ActionOn this World AIDS Day, the United Nations urge policymakers, civil society, and communities in Guyana to embrace bold and decisive actions:Dismantle Barriers: Repeal discriminatory laws and policies, while strengthening protections that reduce stigma and ensure equitable access to services. Address stigma and discrimination by integrating human rights and patients’ rights awareness into healthcare worker training and institutional policies.Prioritize Prevention: Scale up access to comprehensive prevention tools, including PrEP, HIV self-testing, and peer-led education, with a focus on key populations and young people. Expand digital platforms for virtual outreach and HIV self-testing to reach hidden populations.Empower Communities: Support CSOs to lead the HIV response, ensuring their expertise and reach are leveraged to address the epidemic’s root causes. Support peer-led interventions and community-based outreach to increase uptake of testing and prevention services and to respond to violations of rights and to seek restorative justice.Ensure Sustainability: Invest in domestic funding mechanisms to secure the gains made and build resilience against future challenges. Explore innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to ensure the long-term sustainability of HIV programs.As stated by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, "Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable. But reaching this goal requires breaking down the barriers keeping people from vital services." Guyana’s leadership in financing its HIV response and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations reflects a commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring health and well-being for all. However, the rise in new infections among young people and key populations highlights the need for urgent, rights-based interventions.By taking the rights path, Guyana can achieve an AIDS-free future—one where health, dignity, and equality are not privileges, but universal rights for every citizen.

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A graphic with text - Take the Rights Path to End AIDS

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27 November 2024

Standing Together for a Safer Future: The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Observed annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, this global campaign invites individuals and communities to stand together in the hope of creating a world where everyone can live free from violence.This year, the “Red Shoe” event held in Guyana on November 25 offered a heartfelt and moving tribute to the lives affected by gender-based violence. Each pair of red shoes on display carried its own silent story, urging attendees to consider the resilience of survivors and the need for collective support.Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator, spoke to the significance of the event. “This Red Shoe event is more than just a gathering—it is a powerful symbol of solidarity, resilience, and hope,” she said, emphasizing the shared commitment to ending violence and supporting those who have been affected.Reflecting on Progress and Urgency
This year marks 25 years since the United Nations General Assembly first designated November 25 as a day dedicated to eliminating violence against women. The campaign also comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global framework for achieving gender equality.Ms. Kamau reminded attendees that while progress has been made, the work is far from over. “It requires all of us—leaders, civil society, governments, private sector, academia, and every individual—to partner, engage in dialogue, and undertake deliberate, collective actions to deliver tangible and meaningful change,” she shared. Building a Stronger Support System in Guyana
In Guyana, the UN System works with government, civil society organizations, and other partners to address gender-based violence. This collaborative effort focuses on improving data collection, enhancing legal and policy frameworks, and ensuring that support services for survivors are accessible and effective.A recent milestone in these efforts was the launch of the Hope and Justice Centre in Region 3. This Centre brings essential services—including police reports, medical exam and report, counseling, free legal services, temporary shelter and for the first time a forensic interview programme—together in one location. The UN supported this initiative by aiding the development of the operational aspect of the Centre, as part of the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls programme, which ended in 2023. By streamlining support for survivors, the Centre reduces the additional burdens they might face when seeking help. Such integrated approaches reflect the compassion and determination of those working tirelessly to create safe spaces for those in need.The 16 Days of Activism is also a time to honor the courage of survivors who have risen above their experiences to build new lives. Their stories of strength remind us of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of creating environments where everyone feels supported and protected.The “Red Shoe” display not only represented those who have experienced violence but also served as a call to action for communities to stand together and advocate for change.The event was organised by the Civil Society National Reference Group, in collaboration with the United Nations and Women and Gender Equality Commission-Guyana.

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18 November 2024

Media Professionals benefit from training on suicide reporting

In a joint effort to enhance media reporting on suicide, UNICEF Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and PAHO-WHO hosted a two-day training exercise with close to 20 media professionals in Guyana.The training was facilitated by PAHO Consultants, Tanya Nicole Fernandes and Amiti Varma and Ministry of Health Psychologist, Kadija McClure. Among the topics discussed were Reporting on suicide and mental health, best practices for reporting on suicides cases, the mental health of journalists and media professionals, to name a few.Dr. Timothy Morgan, Director of the Mental Health Unit, during the training, outlined a vision for mental health care within Guyana’s health sector growth. He announced plans to soon introduce a 3-digit suicide helpline, offering a lifeline for individuals in need of immediate assistance.Meanwhile, media professionals touted the training successful and made calls for additional trainings to enhance their reporting on sensitive topics in the health field.The training exercise comes as part of UNICEF, PAHO-WHO and the Ministry of Health’s joint Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children and Adolescents Programme.In September 2023, the joint initiative was launched with an aim to address and break the inter-generational cycle of poor mental health and transform mental health outcomes in Guyana. This article was first published on UNICEF Guyana and Suriname's website.

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13 November 2024

UN Day in Guyana: Celebrating Partnerships

In Guyana, this day holds particular significance as the United Nations System reflects on the partnerships and progress achieved through its active engagement with the government of Guyana and all stakeholders. This year’s observance highlighted the collaborative efforts in areas such as sustainable development, human rights, climate resilience, and peacebuilding—issues that are integral to Guyana's national development agenda.A Day of Reflection and Renewal of CommitmentUN Day was observed with a reception that brought together all stakeholders - government officials, UN staff, civil society organisations, development partners, private sector, academia, media, among others. During her remarks, Jean Kamau, UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, reflected on global crises like conflicts, climate change, and inequality, emphasising the importance of collective action and quicker institutional responses to tackle these challenges effectively. She highlighted that the recent Summit of the Future in New York yielded three critical international agreements—the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations, which aim to build a fairer financial system, prioritize peace, and protect future generations.
Kamau offered praise for the country’s leadership on many of the commitments that were made in the Pact for the Future. “With respect to youth, already Guyana is a Co-Facilitator for the establishment of the UN’s Youth Office, which puts young people closer to the heart of the multilateral system. As it relates to global security, as we know, Guyana is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council until 2026. In this role Guyana is contributing to discussions and decisions on international peace and security contributing to Key resolutions, sanctions and peacekeeping mandates,” highlighted Kamau. In his address, the Honourable Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Acting President and Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to the principles of the United Nations. “Guyana remains dedicated to contributing to the important work of the Organisation across its major pillars: international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and international law,” he said. He added that the government will persist in creating an environment that supports sustainable development, eradicates poverty, and combats climate change, while also leveraging technology and innovation, including AI, for the greater good of humanity.The Acting President and Prime Minister also underscored Guyana's role as a member of the UN Security Council, with a focus on key global priorities such as climate change, food insecurity, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, women’s peace and security, protection of children in armed conflict, and youth engagement in peace and security.United Nations-Guyana CollaborationDuring her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator outlined the UN Country Team’s collaborative efforts in Guyana across key areas, including job creation, health, education, environmental protection, and support for vulnerable communities. She highlighted the UN System’s investment of $17 million in projects in 2023 aimed at making development inclusive and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also acknowledged the work of several UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes that are helping to expand Guyana’s non-oil economy, enhance healthcare, support Forcibly Displaced People and vulnerable populations, and protect human rights. Kamau said, “We bring transparent, trusted, and technically robust support to this country, at the invitation of national authorities. We leverage global networks to help ensure that the country's development remains rights-based, inclusive, resilient, and aligned with the SDGs. We remain fully committed to supporting national authorities, and to our deep, long-standing partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and international development actors.”Moving Forward: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Guyana
UN Day in Guyana served as a reminder of the power of global cooperation in addressing challenges that no single nation can solve alone. It highlighted the need for continued collaboration with all stakeholders to create resilient societies that prioritize the well-being of their people. As Guyana and the UN work together, the promise of the UN Charter continues to inspire a shared commitment to peace, progress, and the global good.

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14 November 2024

Resident Coordinators gather to leverage the Pact for the Future to gear up for delivery of the SDGs

New York, 22 October 2024 – UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened Resident Coordinators (RCs) from across the globe in New York last week, underscoring their pivotal role in leveraging the transformative vision of the Pact for the Future into tangible progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "The Pact for the Future that was adopted includes breakthroughs and reforms to revitalize the multilateral system to meet this challenging moment," Mr. Guterres emphasized. "As Resident Coordinators, you and your teams have a critical role to play in leveraging the Pact to help countries accelerate progress towards the SDGs." Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina J. Mohammed, echoed this call to action. She noted, “The Pact of the Future is a recommitment to the goals we have set, and it also encompasses the new era of technology, meaningful youth engagement and future generations, things that weren’t on the table when the 2030 Agenda was adopted in 2015.” With this clarion call, RCs delved into how to effectively bridge global commitments and local action, turning the Pact's ambitious aspirations into concrete achievements for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda on the ground. Driving the SDGs: Financing, Climate and New Technologies RCs are playing a critical role in working with their UN Country teams to advance key areas highlighted in the Pact for the Future, with a focus on assisting governments in closing the SDG financing gap, stepping up climate ambitions, and navigating new technologies to meet the deadline of the 2030 Agenda. The SDG financing gap represents the shortfall in funding needed to achieve the SDGs. To close this gap, RCs are supporting government to strengthen their capacity, building on overseas development assistance, to access and manage different forms of financing including private and concessional financing, as well as improving their ability to mobilize domestic resources through effective budgeting practices and addressing tax evasion. On climate change, RCs are supporting countries to strengthen their commitments under the Paris Agreement and accelerate action on the ground. This includes helping governments create ambitious national climate plans that align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5⁰C, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and the whole economy. RCs are also helping countries identify promising climate strategies and investment-ready projects, and connecting them with climate financing from various sources, including multilateral development banks and international financial institutions. Recognizing the transformative potential of technology, RCs are working to help governments harness its benefits while supporting dialogues on mitigating potential risks. Discussions ranged from supporting the development of policies, laws, and safeguards around technology to ensuring participation from all segments of society in shaping the technological landscape. RCs also stressed the importance of securing funding to ensure that countries can fully leverage opportunities and challenges presented by technologies like artificial intelligence. The importance of solidifying the reform of the UN development system, with a reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system at its core, was a recurring theme throughout the week-long conversations on what it takes to realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda. In an exchange with RCs and Member States, many Member States reiterated their commitment to supporting the Resident Coordinator system to ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness. Many delegates noted that as the world navigates a complex and challenging landscape, Resident Coordinators, with the UN country teams, are essential partners in driving SDG implementation. Championing Inclusion and Communicating Impact Resident Coordinators were recognized for their efforts to champion diversity and inclusion with their UN country teams. This commitment was celebrated through a series of awards recognizing outstanding achievements in advancing gender equality and disability inclusion. The annual RC Global Meeting also provided an opportunity to celebrate excellence in demonstrating the impact and results of the UN country team’s work and alignment with the priorities by national governments. These awards, tied to the culture of accountability, recognize a range of approaches giving full visibility and transparency on the UN work and results in country, from compelling storytelling and data-driven analysis to innovative design, while also acknowledging the resilience and resourcefulness demonstrated by UN teams operating in challenging environments. The following 28 reports were celebrated for their exemplary work in portraying the work of the UN in country: In Africa: Best report in the region – Gabon Best report for storytelling – Guinea Bissau and Eswatini Best report for creativity and design – The Gambia Best report for the use of UN INFO – Cabo Verde Best report for outreach and communications – Egypt and Zambia, e-Report Best report in a challenging setting – Mali and SudanIn Asia and the Pacific: Best report in the region – Lao PDR Best report for storytelling – Philippines Best report for creativity and design – The Pacific In Latin America and the Caribbean: Best report in the region – Mexico Best report for the use of UN INFO – Bolivia, e-Report Best report for outreach and communications – Brazil Best report for creativity and design – Dominican Republic Best report for storytelling – El Salvador Best report in a challenging setting – Cuba In Europe and Central Asia: Best report in the region – Turkmenistan Best report for creativity and design – Montenegro Best report for the use of UN INFO – Albania, e-Report Best report for storytelling – Georgia Best report for outreach and communications – Kosovo Best report in a challenging setting – Armenia In the Arab States: Best report in the region – IraqBest report for creativity and design – United Arab Emirates Best report in a challenging setting – Lebanon, e-Report Best report for storytelling – Yemen This article was first published on the United Nations Development Coordination Office website.

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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.

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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

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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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