President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly where he provided an update on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.
“Guyana is a small and peaceful State. We have endured repeated threats and aggression from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The territorial controversy between our States is now before the International Court of Justice, which has twice reaffirmed its jurisdiction and which in 2023 issued provisional measures ordering Venezuela to refrain from altering the status quo,” President Ali outlined.
He, nevertheless, pointed out, that Venezuela persists with unilateral laws and threats of annexation, flagrantly violating international law, the UN Charter, and the very principles that sustain global order.
“If the rights of a small State can be trampled upon and legally binding orders ignored, what protection remains for any nation under international law?”
According to President Ali, notwithstanding, Guyana continues to repose confidence in international law.
“For us, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference are non-negotiable. We will not cower to coercion, intimidation, or unilateral action. We thank our international partners and allies for their solidarity,” the Guyanese leader affirmed.
Meanwhile, President Ali noted that at present, a dark shadow looms over the 80th session of the General Assembly.
“Genocide in Palestine, annexation of Ukrainian territory, persecution of women in Afghanistan, humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, brutal gang violence in Haiti, increased transnational organized crime, trafficking, and illegal immigration,” he said.
Referring to the systematic slaughter and displacement of Palestinian men, women, and children, President Ali reiterated that “we must take urgent action to halt the genocide, return the hostages, and accelerate our efforts towards the two-state solution.”
He noted too that Guyana reiterates its call for an urgent end to the Russia-Ukraine war and reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Equally, he said the international community must act decisively in Haiti where gang violence, displacement, and shortages of food and medicine have pushed the nation into deepening despair.
President Ali further lamented that globally, spending on peacekeeping budgets is diminishing and humanitarian costs are soaring while, military spending in 2024 saw its steepest annual increase since the Cold War.
“The United Nations’ noble mission to maintain international peace and security will ring hollow if it allows power to triumph over principle and might to override rights,” the President informed.
In this regard, he emphasised that in remaining faithful to its charter, the United Nations must ensure that the survival and progress of humanity are not mortgaged to the ambitions of the powerful.
“The collective will of our membership must be reflected in institutions and governance structure of the United Nations, including the Security Council,” President Ali said, as he thanked Guyana’s team for their exceptional work and leadership at the UNSC.
Guyana is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2024–2025 term.
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