UN has a new home in Guyana
─ UN agencies being consolidated at ‘One UN House’ formerly the Eddy Grant House
─ UN team will be in a better position to implement more coherent programmes and deliver them at less cost – Min. Jordan
─ timing opportune – UN Rep. Tanaka
─ UN’s agencies expected to take up their spaces over the next few months
DPI, Guyana, Monday, May 13, 2019
The move was described as part the drive to consolidate and “really work together and tackle the issue that are complex and integrated in nature” to help the countries and people it serves, according to United Nations Resident Representative to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka. This is in keeping with an “ambitious reform plan implemented by the Secretary-General António Guterres” hence, Tanaka said the timing of the One UN House opening was “opportune”. It has been part of the move to improve the agency’s operations and development systems since 2006.
‘One UN House’ will enable the agency to further achieve a greater economy of scale, effectively utilise shared resources, build closer ties amongst staffers, improve collaboration and “promote a more unified UN image and presence at the country level” Tanaka added.
All of the UN’s agencies are expected to take up their spaces over the next few months.
The search for a location began with efforts to utilise CARICOM Headquarters’ Annex. This was, however, “fully subscribed” according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The continuous efforts culminated in the compound of the Eddy Grant’s House, at 107/107 Duke Street Kingston, Georgetown. Negotiations concluded late last year, the minister said, “We signed a ten-year renewable lease and we hope this will be the bedrock of UN activities in Guyana, from now on.” The UN House is leased from Blue Wave Apartments Inc., an Eddy Grant owned company.
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan explained that the new facility, made possible through the government’s auspices, was part of the Coalition Government’s effort to participate in the UN’s “Delivering as One Initiative” just six months after entering into office. This initiative, initially comprised eight countries which agreed to capitalise on the strengths and advantages of the different members and examine ways to increase the UN’s systems’ impacts.
The initiative, the finance minister added, consists of five critical components. “One leader, one programme, one office, one budget and one voice.”
Guyana, he pointed out, has made strides in achieving three of these components and hopes to complete all five, “as soon as possible”. The soft launch of the “Delivering as One Initiative’s” third component [One office] was described by the finance minister as a major milestone in the relationship between the UN and Guyana.
He also noted that the move would result in reduced transactions costs for Guyana and lower overheads for the UN’s system.
“The UN team will also be in a better position to implement more coherent programmes and deliver them at less cost.” The UN’s commitment to Guyana and its peoples’ development was also lauded by Minister Jordan. “We look forward to deepening the relationship in years to come.”
Paul Mc Adam.
Images: Marceano Narine.
