Multilateral and Global Affairs Department | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Multilateral and Global Affairs Department is charged with advancing Guyana’s foreign policy objectives in respect of multilateral issues and specific bilateral issues. Accordingly, it seeks to maintain, develop and enhance relations with strategic countries at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels and to ensure that Guyana is actively and meaningfully engaged in the multilateral arena.

At the multilateral level the Department facilitates and promotes Guyana’s engagement with international institutions which include the United Nations and its subsidiary and specialised organs, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation and the Iwokrama International Center among others.

At the bilateral level, it is responsible for relations with countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania/Pacific. Issues specific to the Department include democracy, human rights, sustainable development, cooperation for peace and security, trafficking in persons, drugs, terrorism, disarmament and international treaties.

At the national level, it works closely with other Government Ministries and where appropriate, non-governmental and civil society organisations, to ensure effective execution of foreign policy directives.

The Department also works closely with Guyana’s Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad, with resident and non-resident foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Guyana and with international organisations present in Guyana.

The objectives of the Multilateral and Global Affairs Department include the following:

To promote and safeguard Guyana’s interests and enhance its image through effective participation in international fora
To promote the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter
To facilitate the fulfilment of Guyana’s obligations under international treaties/resolutions/declarations
To monitor existing and emerging threats at the international level that can affect national security
To ensure that Guyana derives maximum benefit from its membership and participation in international organisations
To ensure that Guyana’s interests in the areas of sustainable development and the environment are promoted and advanced
To promote the economic and social development of Guyana
To negotiate, conclude and pursue the implementation of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements
To pursue strategic candidatures in international bodies with a view to enhancing Guyana’s profile and role in international affairs and promoting Guyana’s interests while supporting friendly states which have similar aspirations
To develop, maintain and enhance relations with the countries with which Guyana has diplomatic relations while pursuing initiatives to establish relations with new states within the assigned geographical locations.