News Top Story Guyana well poised for major achievements, says new US Ambassador
Guyana well poised for major achievements, says new US Ambassador PDF Print E-mail
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Thursday, 29 September 2011 04:41
-at welcome reception
NEW United States Ambassador to Guyana Mr. D Brent Hardt has reiterated his pledged commitment to working with the Guyana Government, civil society and private sector organizations, as well as with all Guyanese, to build on the existing partnership for the mutual benefit of both Guyana and the United States of America. [Prime Minister Samuel Hinds delivering remarks at the reception to welcome the US Ambassador Mr. D. Brent Hardt delivering remarks at the reception on Tuesday evening. Also in photo are Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Foreign Affairs Minister Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Mrs. Saskia Hardt (left). ] “At the end of the day, diplomacy is all about people, relationships, establishing trust and confidence, listening and working together effectively,” Ambassador Hardt posited during remarks at a ‘Welcome Reception’ he and his beautiful wife, Saskia, hosted at their new home in Cummings Lodge on Tuesday evening.
“I have come to know Guyana as a country with tremendous economic potential, with its rainforest, agricultural lands, mineral resources, and creative and innovative people…with continued strong economic investments and continued growth in the confidence of the political process, I believe Guyana is poised for major achievements,” the US Ambassador declared.
Hardt also noted that US engagement in Guyana is rooted in collaboration and shared values of democracy, tolerance, economic opportunities, and respect for human dignity, which have borne fruit in a host of joint efforts in several areas. [Prime Minister Sam Hinds and US Ambassador Brent Hardt in conversation. ]
The Centre for Disease Control and the USAID have been working closely over the last decade with the Ministry of Health to combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
He said that President Barack Obama’s primary security programme for the region, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, has allowed close working relations with Guyana in a regional effort to combat drug trafficking and help young people to avoid getting involved in criminal activities.
The US Embassy has also been working with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to support electoral processes, while the partnership between the US Forest Services and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) aims to help Guyana achieve the REDD+ initiatives in its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
The US-Guyana trade and investment support project has been opening new export opportunities for Guyanese goods and services, eco-tourism, aquaculture, agriculture and wood products.
In terms of support in the energy sector, the US has been working with local agencies to support the implementation of a potential oil and gas reserve exploration in a manner that will maximise the benefits for Guyana.
Hardt, a career diplomat who has served as Charge d’ Affaires of the US Embassy in the Bahamas among other postings, presented his letters of Credence to President Bharrat Jagdeo on September 15. [Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and Banks DIH CEO Mr. Clifford Reis among guests at the reception.]
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in his remarks on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana joined the diplomatic community and special invitees at the in welcoming the new US Ambassador to Guyana.
Prime Minister Hinds said Guyana and the US have traditionally shared a close collaborative relationship in various areas such as health, security, climate change, governance and energy, all of which contribute to the country’s overall national development efforts.
“The Government of Guyana is very appreciative of the US Government’s commitment to this partnership between our two peoples and looks forward to its further strengthening during your tenure here,” the Prime Minister told the Ambassador.
He said the Guyana Government is also appreciative of US ongoing support as the country embarks once again, on a critical aspect of democracy, the holding of general and regional elections constitutionally due before the end of this year. [Special Invitees at the reception. ]
“We are confident that the elections will be peaceful, fair and transparent,” the Prime Minister said.
To this end, several entities including CARICOM, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Commonwealth Secretariat have all been invited to Guyana to function as electoral observers to ensure the maintenance of electoral best practices.
Prime Minister Hinds also assured of Government’s commitment to ensuring that the close partnership shared by the two countries continue in the future.
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