Remarks by the Resident Coordinator at the Official Launch of the United Nations World Inter-Faith Harmony Week 2023

Reverend Dr Ronald McGarrell, Chairman

Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Representatives and MPs of the Opposition  

Hon. Lennox Shuman, Deputy Speaker of Parliament

Members of the Inter-Religious Organization

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Special invitees

It is quite impossible to compete with the elation I know we all felt after that most spiritual rendition of the Bhajan and the Qasida before that. Thank you so much for this and for inviting us to share this moment.

Hon. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,

World Interfaith Harmony Week was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2010. The first World Interfaith Harmony Week was observed in 2011. This year, after a hiatus of some years, it will be convening in person in New York this Friday on 3 February.  The convening this year will include representatives not only of the major faiths but also indigenous faith systems and groups from Africa and Latin America as well, reflecting the diversity and richness of our human family.

The theme for this year’s week is Harmony in a World in Crisis: Working together to achieve peace, gender equality, mental health and wellbeing, and environmental preservation. This year’s theme speaks very much to the UN’s global goals as well as the UN Secretary-General’s concerns for the future of our humanity in the world of climate change, pandemics, and increasing challenges to world peace.

The theme recognizes that these global stressors will continue to accentuate the already-existing inequities in the world. More than ever before this year’s theme recognizes the need for harmony, respect, and collaborative action. 

In calling on people of all faiths to prayer under this theme, there is a recognition of the role of faith leaders – the role they play not only in greater understanding between religious groups but for greater cooperation in addressing common social and environmental issues such as poverty, inequality and the scourge of climate change.

In particular I wish to recognize the members of the Inter Religious Organization (IRO) here in Guyana, all of whom, the membership of which, have done tremendous work in their communities; opening up their places of worship, the resources of their faith communities for the benefit of all Guyanese in servicing many needs, from health to education and many others.

Indeed, Guyana is remarkable in this regard where adherents of its diverse religions open up, share their observances and celebrations with one another in absolute harmony and joy. Allow me an anecdote: the UN staff around the globe are given ten official holidays. When I submit my UN official holiday list to NY, they find it hard to believe that staff would all be observing Eid, Easter, Phagwah, Diwali, Christmas as well as national days. It is unique and it is something absolutely thrilling and to be proud of. 

The United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programs in Guyana commend the organizers of this year’s World Interfaith Harmony Week for their leadership in promoting continuous awareness-raising on the importance of respect for diversity, tolerance and common purpose in building a better Guyana. In particular, I wish to acknowledge Ms. Jennifer Dewar for tirelessly reaching out and engaging partners around the objectives of the IRO.

The work of the IRO and others in sustaining this harmony is very relevant to achievement of Guyana’s national development aspirations and Guyana’s advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In closing, let me reiterate that the UN stands in partnership with all religious communities in the commitment to these goals as we stand with all governments in efforts to create the conditions for social harmony through policies that enable inclusion and respect for diversity. 

Thank you for the opportunity to be with you and share this important moment with you today.