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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28 June 2023

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29 January 2026

Choose peace over chaos, Guterres urges as he sets out final-year priorities

With global tensions rising and “reckless actions” triggering dangerous consequences, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday called for renewed efforts on peace, justice and sustainable development as he outlined his priorities for 2026 – the final year of his tenure.Mr. Guterres – who trained as a physicist before entering public life – said that during times of profound flux, he returns to fixed principles that explain how forces act.Generating ‘positive reactions’Among them is Newton’s Third Law of Motion which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.“As we begin this year, we are determined to choose actions that generate concrete and positive reactions,” he said.“Reactions of peace, of justice, of responsibility, and of progress in our troubled times.”Chain reactionToday, impunity is driving conflicts – fueling escalation, widening mistrust, and allowing powerful spoilers to enter from every direction.“Meanwhile, the slashing of humanitarian aid is generating its own chain reactions of despair, displacement, and death,” as inequalities deepen.He highlighted climate change – “the most literal and devastating illustration of Newton’s principle” – as actions that heat the planet trigger storms, wildfires, hurricanes, drought and rising seas. Power shiftThe world is also witnessing “perhaps the greatest transfer of power of our times”, namely from governments to private tech companies.“When technologies that shape behaviour, elections, markets, and even conflicts operate without guardrails, the reaction is not innovation, it is instability,” he warned.Hegemony is not the answerThese challenges are happening as systems for global problem-solving continue to reflect economic and power structures of 80 years ago and this must change.“Our structures and institutions must reflect the complexity – and the opportunity – of these new times and realities,” he said.“Global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots. Nor will they be solved by two powers carving the world into rival spheres of influence.”He stressed the importance of accelerating multipolarity – “one that is networked, inclusive by design, and capable of creating balance through partnerships” – but it alone does not guarantee stability or peace.“For multipolarity to generate equilibrium, prosperity and peace, we need strong multilateral institutions where legitimacy is rooted in shared responsibility and shared values,” he said.Shared valuesAdditionally, in the pursuit of reform, “structures may be out of date – but values are not,” he said.In this regard, the people who wrote the UN Charter “understood that the values enshrined in our founding documents were not lofty abstractions or idealistic hopes” but “the sine qua non of lasting peace and enduring justice.”He said that “despite all the hurdles, the United Nations is acting to give life to our shared values” and will not give up.Peace, reform and development“We are pushing for peace – just and sustainable peace rooted in international law. Peace that addresses root causes. Peace that endures beyond the signing of an agreement.”The UN is also pressing to reform and strengthen the Security Council – “the one and only body with the Charter-mandated authority to act on peace and security on behalf of every country.”Stating that there is no lasting peace without development, he highlighted action to speed up progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reform the global financial architecture,“That includes ending the crushing cycle of debt, tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and ensuring developing countries just participation and real influence in global financial institutions,” he said.Climate supportOn climate action, he stressed the need for deep emissions cuts this decade along with a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.“We are demanding far greater support for countries already confronting climate catastrophe, expanded early warning systems, opportunities for nations rich in critical minerals to climb global value chains,” he said.The UN is also working urgently towards a framework for technology governance, including through global dialogue, capacity support for developing countries and the new International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI).The names of 40 proposed panel members will be submitted to the General Assembly soon.AI for the developing worldMr. Guterres has also called for the creation of a Global Fund on AI Capacity Development for developing countries, with a target of $3 billion.“As we begin this year, we are determined to choose actions that generate concrete and positive reactions,” he said.“Reactions of peace, of justice, of responsibility, and of progress in our troubled times.”

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26 January 2026

UN chief warns ‘law of the jungle’ is replacing rule of law

Warning that the “rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle,” the UN Secretary-General on Monday urged world powers to recommit to international law as the foundation of peace, justice and multilateral cooperation.António Guterres was addressing a high-level open debate of the UN Security Council convened by Somalia, which holds the Council presidency for January.The discussion comes as conflicts multiply, global tensions rise, and confidence in international institutions and rules is fading – even as the UN marks 80 years since the adoption of its founding Charter, which set out principles meant to prevent wars and reduce suffering.“The rule of law is a cornerstone of global peace and security,” Mr. Guterres said, calling it “the beating heart” of the UN Charter.For eight decades, he said, the Charter, alongside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and other core legal instruments, has helped humanity avoid another world war and limit the toll of countless conflicts.Flagrant violationsBut the Secretary-General warned that commitments to international law are increasingly being ignored.“Around the world, the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle,” he said, pointing to what he described as flagrant violations of the UN Charter and international law, including the illegal use of force, attacks on civilian infrastructure, human rights abuses and the denial of life-saving humanitarian aid.From Gaza to Ukraine and beyond, he said, the rule of law is being treated as “an à la carte menu,” with States choosing which rules to follow. Such violations, he warned, set dangerous precedents, encourage impunity and erode trust among nations.A lifeline and a guardrailFor smaller and less-powerful countries, particularly those affected by historical inequities and the legacies of colonialism, international law is “a lifeline promising equal treatment, sovereignty, dignity and justice,” Mr. Guterres said.“For powerful countries, it is a guardrail defining what is acceptable – and what is not, in times of disagreement, division and outright conflict,” he added.He underscored the unique responsibility of the Security Council, the only body with Charter-mandated authority to adopt decisions binding on all Member States and to authorize the use of force under international law.“Its responsibility is singular. Its obligation is universal,” he said.Priorities for actionLooking ahead, the UN chief outlined three priority areas for action.First, he urged countries to honour the commitments they made under the Charter, including settling disputes peacefully, safeguarding human rights and respecting the sovereign equality of States.Second, he called for the use of peaceful tools to settle disputes – negotiation, mediation and judicial settlement, alongside stronger partnerships with regional organizations – and more investment in development to address the root causes of inequality and exclusion.Third, he stressed the need for fair, independent judicial proceedings. He encouraged greater reliance on independent courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and stronger support for international criminal justice.“There can be no sustainable or just peace without accountability,” Mr. Guterres said. “The rule of law must prevail.”

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14 January 2026

The UN is ‘worth fighting for’: General Assembly President

Annalena Baerbock noted that the New Year began with crises in Venezuela and Iran, with the international community “at an even more urgent make-or-break moment” than when the landmark session began in September. She insisted that “the world needs the United Nations” and highlighted its wide-ranging work, which includes providing lifesaving support in Gaza, championing girls’ education in Afghanistan, protecting civilians in Sudan, and stepping up efforts to end the war in Ukraine. “In no way would the world be better off without our United Nations. It is worth fighting for,” she said. Defending the Charter The General Assembly is the UN’s main policy-making organ, comprising all 193 Member States, each of whom has an equal vote. It meets in regular sessions from September to December, and thereafter as required. In contrast to previous years, the President avoided comprehensively listing upcoming mandated meetings for the resumed session.“My main priority today and for the next 237 days as President of the General Assembly, is to defend – together with you – this institution, its Charter, and the principles enshrined in it,” said Ms. Baerbock. “Because it is increasingly evident that not all of us are singing from the same songbook anymore; not all are as invested in the Charter and international law.Renewed commitment and compromise She called for Member States from all regions to come together to build a cross-regional alliance to protect and promote the principles of the UN Charter – “to defend a global order founded in international law and human rights.” “This means stepping up every day. It means standing up. It means recommitting,” she said. “It also means always endeavoring to bridge divides and to find compromise, insofar as compromise doesn’t become appeasement.” The Assembly President addressed ongoing efforts to reform the United Nations, emphasising that “no amount of reform can resolve a financial crisis if Member States do not meet their financial obligations.” She stressed the need for countries to pay their contributions in full and on time “because otherwise this institution cannot function and reform will have no meaning.”New leadership Her other main priority concerns the selection of the next UN Secretary-General as António Guterres prepares to leave office in December. The General Assembly appoints the UN chief on the recommendation of the Security Council. The selection process is already underway, and Ms. Baerbock announced that interactive dialogues with candidates have been scheduled for the week of 20 April where they will present their vision statements. Women candidates wanted She invited Member States to submit qualified candidates early and ahead of time to ensure their participation in the dialogues. She encouraged countries to strongly consider nominating women. “In a time of heavy headwinds to this institution, the process of selecting the next Secretary-General is our chance to send a clear message about who we are and what we stand for,” she said. “The next Secretary-General will not only be the face and voice of this institution, our choice will also tell whether this organization is truly serving all of humanity, half of whom are women and girls.” The choice of who heads the UN “will determine how we address pressing global challenges, from conflicts and climate change to inequality,” she added. “We need someone who is up to the task at hand; who can chart a path to the future, while passionately defending the principles of our Charter.” This story is republished from UN News.

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16 December 2025

2025 Annual Coordination Meeting: Shifting Gears from Vulnerability to Resilience

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — Caribbean governments gathered for the 2025 Annual Coordination Meeting (ACM) to discuss progress in implementation of the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Caribbean (UNMSDCF) and set clear long-term priorities for the future partnership. They delivered a clear mandate to the United Nations to strengthen multilateralism and work on sustainable development, calling for continued UN support on climate resilience and disaster risk management, economic diversification, human capital development, digital transformation and citizen security. The meeting marked a milestone in the collective Caribbean effort to accelerate development before the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Held in Port of Spain on December 10, the ACM brought together representatives from 16 signatory countries and CARICOM to shape the direction of the next UNMSDCF for 2027–2031—the UN’s strategic focus for development support across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The priorities articulated during the 2025 ACM closely link UN system support with the ambitions of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), adopted in 2024. From climate-resilient infrastructure to blue and green economies, digital public services and shock-responsive social protection, governments used the 2025 ACM to underscore that ABAS is now shaping national and regional expectations for UN cooperation. The ACM translated these global SIDS commitments into concrete, region-specific priorities—reinforcing ABAS as a practical agenda for delivery.In 2024, the combined investment of the UN development system in the Caribbean under the current UNMSDCF for 2022-2026 was approximately US $200 million, representing a continued upward trend in funding mobilization. Details on the UN’s regional delivery were captured in a newly-released Regional Results Report, an unprecedented Caribbean-wide snapshot that outlines the UN’s work across six United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs): Belize; Guyana; Jamaica (covering five Member states); Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Islands; and the Eastern Caribbean (based in Barbados, covering ten Member States and overseas territories).Speaking during the ACM opening ceremony, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Senator Dr. the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, reflected on progress under the current UNMSDCF while underscoring the region’s ambition for the next phase of cooperation.“As we reflect on what has been achieved under the current MSDCF, we acknowledge meaningful progress across the region. These achievements reflect the value of what we can achieve when global expertise and national priorities are aligned,” Minister Swaratsingh said. “The next Cooperation Framework will mark the shift from vulnerability to resilience. This is where the Caribbean’s strength is rooted—in innovation, in the ability to adapt and support one another. While the challenges ahead are real, so is our collective capacity to overcome them.”United Nations Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Joanna Kazana, emphasised that the next framework must be firmly shaped by government leadership and strategic clarity.“The UN is using forecasting and foresight to understand where the changing global context may take us,” Ms. Kazana said. “Tell us what you want the UN system to prioritise in this partnership so the region can accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda and deliver equitable, inclusive and resilient development for every Caribbean citizen." The feedback from governments comes at a decisive moment, since the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF will be the final framework before the deadline for the 2030 Agenda—leaving little room for fragmented or incremental action.The priorities articulated at the 2025 ACM will now inform joint planning to design the 2027–2031 UNMSDCF. As governments and the UN move into this phase, the emphasis will be on sharpening focus, mobilising partnerships and ensuring the framework is positioned to deliver measurable impact in the Caribbean’s critical final push toward the SDGs. Republished from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator Trinidad and Tobago

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15 December 2025

Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Expo 2025 Celebrates “Everyday Essentials”

On December 9–10, 2025, the United Nations Guyana Country Team participated in the 4th Annual Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, an event that united government agencies, civil society and the public in a shared showcase of work advancing human rights and integrity. Organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance (MPAG), the two-day event drew students, teachers, community groups and members of the public, offering interactive displays, educational dialogue and outreach on human rights protections and anti-corruption efforts across the nation.The expo’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials: Rights and Integrity,” reflected this year’s global Human Rights Day campaign led by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The UN campaign particularly emphasizes that human rights are foundational elements we rely on throughout daily life, from safety and dignity to freedom of expression and equality before the law.Each year, the expo grows in scope and recognition, now described as the only event of its kind in the region. The MPAG thanked agencies for their creativity, professionalism and dedication, noting that their contributions helped make the 2025 expo a success and ensured that the event remained meaningful, credible and nationally relevant. Visitors particularly praised the exhibits' engaging, interactive nature and the agency's welcoming staff. Many participants also shared their experiences on social media, extending the expos’ reach beyond the two days of programming and drawing broader public attention to the importance of human rights and anti-corruption work. The expo took place in the context of Human Rights Day 2025, observed each year on December 10 to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.According to the OHCHR, human rights are positive, essential and attainable. They are everyday essentials that enable people to participate in society, express themselves freely, live without fear, access services and opportunities, and demand accountability when rights are violated.In Guyana, the 2025 expo reinforced these principles by making human rights tangible for diverse audiences, especially young people and educators. The event also highlighted national efforts to respect, protect and fulfill human rights while promoting integrity and combating corruption, two goals that are connected in any democratic society striving for justice and accountability.As officials and participants look ahead, there is optimism that future expos and related activities will continue to grow and strengthen, fostering broader public awareness and deepening appreciation for the essential role human rights play in everyday life.

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Press Release

27 January 2026

UN announces new Expert Advisory Panel to advance efforts in quantifying countries’ multidimensional vulnerabilities

The UN General Assembly’s establishment of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) signals the international community’s recognition that vulnerability poses a major obstacle to sustainable development, particularly as countries face increasing exposure to exogenous shocks and stressors. The MVI measures the structural vulnerability and limited structural resilience of all developing countries and serves as a diagnostic tool to guide coordinated action, improve development decision-making and resource allocation. The Panel is mandated to help ensure the continued robustness, relevance, and credibility of the MVI. Its responsibilities include conducting triennial reviews of the index; monitoring progress by developing countries in reducing structural vulnerabilities; evaluating emerging concepts and data; and reviewing lessons learned from the use of the MVI across the UN system and beyond. Serving in their personal capacity, the Panel’s members bring diverse expertise spanning economic development, social development, environmental protection, vulnerability measurement, and resilience-building. The Panel reflects broad geographical and gender balance and includes leaders from the public sector, academia, civil society, and the international community. Congratulating the panel, Rabab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), said, “The establishment of the MVI Advisory Panel marks a critical milestone in advancing our collective understanding of structural vulnerability. For far too long, the most vulnerable countries —LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS — have faced exogenous shocks that undermine hard-won development gains and constrain sustainable progress. The MVI is a long-overdue evidence-based instrument to capture these realities. I am confident that the distinguished members of this Panel will help ensure that the Index continues to evolve as a robust instrument to inform policy, enhance access to finance, and support more equitable and resilient development outcomes.”The MVI Advisory Panel will be supported by a dedicated Secretariat, responsible for maintaining the Index and conducting periodic updates. In addition, the Secretariat will carry out a range of functions aimed at strengthening and reporting on the index, including providing capacity-building support to Member States. As part of the governance framework, the UN Statistical Commission will conduct technical reviews of any future enhancements to the index.“The establishment of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) signals a vital recognition that vulnerability to external shocks is a primary obstacle to sustainable development…. To capitalize on the momentum developing countries must advance transformative national development agendas that shockproof their vulnerable economies,” stated Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). He added, “In parallel, the international community must deliver targeted financing at speed and scale. For this to work, consideration of multidimensional vulnerability and its impact cannot be an exception; it must be the norm in the financing policies of IFIs and development partners.” Panel MembershipThe Advisory Panel comprises 15 experts selected from across regions, sectors, and disciplines. Their CVs are available here. Ms. Sabina Alkire — United States Ms. Amatalalim (Amat Al Alim) Alsoswa — Yemen Mr. Tumasie Blair — Antigua and Barbuda Mr. George Carter — Samoa Mr. Paul Cheung — Singapore Mr. Jean‑Christophe Donnellier — France Mr. ZENG Fei — China Ms. Salmou Gourouza Magagi — Niger Mr. Edgar Gutiérrez‑Espeleta — Costa Rica Ms. Fahmida Khatun — Bangladesh Mr. José Antonio Ocampo — Colombia Ms. Adela Raz — Afghanistan Ms. Therese Turner‑Jones — Bahamas Ms. Dzodzi Tsikata — Ghana Mr. Kerfalla Yansane — GuineaNext StepsThe Panel will convene its first meeting in 2026 to adopt its work programme and initiate preparations for the first triennial review of the MVI due in 2028. Additional information: Report:High-level panel on the development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for SIDS (UN DESA)Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (OHRLLS) For more information and for interview requests, please contact: May Yaacoub | UN Office for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States | yaacoubm@un.orgSharon 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

08 January 2026

Global economy shows resilience, but trade tensions and fiscal strains cloud outlook, UN warns

New York, 8 January 2026 – Global economic output is forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2026, slightly below the 2.8 per cent estimated for 2025 and well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, released by the United Nations today.During 2025, unexpected resilience to sharp increases in U.S. tariffs, supported by solid consumer spending and easing inflation, helped sustain growth. However, underlying weaknesses persist. Subdued investment and limited fiscal space are weighing on economic activity, raising the prospect that the world economy could settle into a persistently slower growth path than in the pre-pandemic era. The report notes that a partial easing of trade tensions helped limit disruptions to international commerce. However, the impact of higher tariffs, coupled with elevated macroeconomic uncertainties, is expected to become more evident in 2026. Financial conditions have eased amid monetary loosening and improved sentiment, but risks remain high given stretched valuations—especially in sectors linked to rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, high debt levels and borrowing costs are constraining policy space, especially for many developing economies.“A combination of economic, geopolitical and technological tensions is reshaping the global landscape, generating new economic uncertainty and social vulnerabilities,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Many developing economies continue to struggle and, as a result, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remains distant for much of the world.”Regional economic outlook: expansion broadly steady, but uneven Economic growth in the United States is projected at 2.0 per cent in 2026, compared to 1.9 per cent in 2025, supported by monetary and fiscal easing. However, a softening labour market will likely weigh on momentum. In the European Union, economic growth is forecast at 1.3 per cent in 2026, down from 1.5 per cent in 2025, as higher U.S. tariffs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty dampen exports. Output in Japan is expected to expand by 0.9 per cent in 2026, compared with 1.2 per cent in 2025, with a modest domestic recovery partly offsetting weaker external conditions. In the Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia, growth is projected at 2.1 per cent in 2026, mostly unchanged from 2025, even as the war in Ukraine continues to weigh on macroeconomic conditions. In East Asia, growth is projected at 4.4 per cent in 2026, down from 4.9 per cent in 2025 as the boost from front-loaded exports fades. China’s economy is expected to grow by 4.6 per cent, slightly lower than in 2025, supported by targeted policy measures. In South Asia, growth is forecast at 5.6 per cent in 2026, easing from 5.9 per cent, led by India’s 6.6 per cent expansion, driven by resilient consumption and substantial public investment. In Africa, output is projected to grow by 4.0 per cent in 2026, marginally up from 3.9 per cent in 2025. However, high debt and climate-related shocks pose significant risks. In Western Asia, GDP is expected to grow by 4.1 per cent in 2026, up from 3.4 per cent in 2025, yet the region remains exposed to geopolitical tensions and security risks. In Latin America and the Caribbean, output is expected to expand by 2.3 per cent in 2026, slightly down from 2.4 per cent in 2025, amid moderate growth in consumer demand and a mild recovery in investment.International trade facing headwinds; investment remains subduedGlobal trade proved resilient in 2025, expanding by a faster-than-expected 3.8 per cent despite elevated policy uncertainty and rising tariffs. The expansion was driven by the front-loading of shipments early in the year and robust growth in services trade. However, momentum is expected to ease, with trade growth projected to slow to 2.2 per cent in 2026. At the same time, investment growth has remained subdued in most regions, weighed down by geopolitical tensions and tight fiscal conditions. Monetary easing and targeted fiscal measures have supported investment in some economies, while rapid advances in artificial intelligence fuelled pockets of strong capital spending in a few large markets. The report cautions, however, that the potential gains from AI, when realised, are likely to be unevenly distributed, risking a widening of existing structural inequalities.Inflation continues to slow, yet strains to the cost of living persist The report also underscores that high prices remain a key global challenge even as disinflation continued. Headline inflation declined from 4.0 per cent in 2024 to an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2025 and is projected to slow further to 3.1 per cent in 2026. While overall inflation has moderated, elevated prices continue to weigh on real incomes. Unlike the globally synchronized surge of previous years, inflation trends have become more uneven, shaped by recurring supply bottlenecks amid rising geopolitical and climate‑related risks. Policymakers face an increasingly complex inflation landscape, where supply risks call for a more coordinated and forward-looking approach. Monetary policy remains central but needs to work with credible fiscal frameworks and targeted social measures to protect vulnerable groups. Sectoral polices also play a role by expanding productive capacity and strengthening supply chains, especially in food, energy and logistics. Coordinated action across monetary, fiscal and industrial policies will be critical to managing persistent price pressures without compromising social stability or long-term growth.“Even as inflation recedes, high and still rising prices continue to erode the purchasing power of the most vulnerable,” said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “Ensuring that lower inflation translates into real improvements for households requires safeguarding essential spending, strengthening market competition, and tackling the structural drivers of recurring price shocks.”Call for renewed multilateral actionThe report underscores that navigating an era of trade realignments, persistent price pressures, and climate-related shocks will demand deeper global coordination and decisive collective action at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising, policies are becoming more inward-looking, and impetus towards multilateral solutions is weakening. Sustained progress will depend on rebuilding trust, strengthening predictability, and renewing the commitment to an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.The Sevilla Commitment, the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, offers a forward-looking blueprint to strengthen multilateral cooperation, reform the international financial architecture, and scale up development finance. Delivering on its key priorities—including clearer debt workout modalities and expanded concessional and climate finance—is essential to reducing systemic risks and fostering a more stable and equitable global economy. ~The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 will be available on 8 January, 12:45 pm EST at desapublications.un.org.Hashtag: #WorldEconomyReportMedia Contacts: Martin Samaan, UN Department of Global Communications,  samaanm@un.orgHelen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh@un.org

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Press Release

06 May 2025

Guyana’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Guyana is one of 14 States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session from 28 April to 9 May 2025. The first, second and third UPR reviews of Guyana took place in May 2010, January 2015 and January 2020, respectively.The UPR Working Group is comprised of the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, each of the 193 UN Member States can participate in a country review.The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the special procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Guyana on 6 May can be found here.Location: Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva.Time and date: 14:30 – 18:00, Tuesday, 6 May 2025 (GMT+1).The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN Member States have been reviewed thrice. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.The delegation of Guyana will be led by Ambassador Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations in New York, accompanied by Ms. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Guyana are Belgium, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Dominican Republic.The webcast of the session will be at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qw0iej2oThe list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Guyana will be posted on the UPR Extranet.The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Guyana on Friday, 9 May 2025, between 16:00 and 18:00 (GMT+1). The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review.// ENDS // For more information and media requests, please contact Pascal Sim, Media Officer, at simp@un.org, David Díaz Martín, Public Information Officer at david.diazmartin@un.org, and Matthew Brown, Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.orgTo learn more about the Universal Periodic Review: www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-mainSign up for the UN Human Rights Council Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/a3a538479938/hrc-mailshot-to-ohchr-global

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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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