UN General Assembly President leads high level delegation to Guyana

Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), will undertake an official visit to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana from today August 7, 2024 to 10, 2024. The visit comes at the invitation of Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During his stay in Georgetown, Mr. Francis is expected to engage in a series of bilateral meetings with key government officials, including Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brig. (Rtd.) Mark Phillips, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha. He will also meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly and Members of Parliament.
Additionally, the PGA will meet with the UN Resident Coordinator and representatives of UN agencies based in Guyana, as well as the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
A key highlight of Mr. Francis’s visit will be his address at a session on “Misinformation/Disinformation for Youth in the Digital Era,” organised by the UN/UNICEF. He will also tour the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and engage with women’s groups and NGOs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
An open forum with representatives from academia, the private sector, and civil society groups is also scheduled, where Mr. Francis is expected to deliver remarks. Furthermore, he will attend and address a cocktail reception and networking event in his honour, with participants including members of the Cabinet, other government officials, and the diplomatic corps.
Mr. Francis will also participate in a Radio/TV program with the Guyana Council of Organizations of People with Disabilities.
Throughout his engagements, the PGA is also expected to pronounce on Guyana’s contributions to strengthening multilateralism, including its role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and its support for the work of the UN General Assembly.
Additionally, Mr. Francis is expected to provide a briefing on upcoming events during the UNGA79 High-Level Week, such as the High-Level Meeting on sea-level rise, which are essential for supporting Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal regions affected by climate change.
The PGA’s delegation includes his Chef de Cabinet, a Special Adviser, a Senior Advisor, and a Communications Adviser. The travel costs for the visit are jointly covered by the OPGA’s Trust Fund and the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.