Address of His Excellency Brigadier David Granger President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at the Accreditation Ceremony of His Excellency Hugo Verbist, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Georgetown, Guyana, February 5, 2020

Kingdom of Belgium

I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

I congratulate you on your appointment and welcome you to Guyana. I ask that you convey to His Majesty King Philippe, my best wishes for his personal well-being and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Belgium.

Guyana and Belgium have enjoyed friendly relations since our two countries established diplomatic ties on 10 June 1971. Our relationship is founded on the principles of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

Guyana and Belgium, though very different in demography, geography, history and culture, are bound by our shared commitment to the protection of human rights and international cooperation.

Our two countries are faced with the challenges and devastating impacts of climate change. Global warming and rising sea-levels in low-lying coastal states threaten the integrity of the environment. These vulnerabilities necessitate interventions to ensure sustainable livelihood as highlighted in the National Energy-Climate Plan.

Guyana, particularly, is vulnerable to rising sea levels given the concentration of its economy and population in the low-lying coastal zone.

The implementation of the ‘Green State’ Development Strategy will see an increased emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation. I am mindful also of the need for countries like ours to continue to advocate for positive action on global issues.

Guyana looks forward to working closely with Belgium, at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, to ensure international peace and security and to encourage increased global efforts to address the challenges of environmental degradation and global warming.

I am confident that our two countries will strengthen our relationship and seek to collaborate in fields of mutual interest such as food production technology and renewable energy development. I wish you every success during your tenure as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

I assure you of the full support of my Government in the discharge of your mandate. Ω

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