UNASUR granted observer status

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said the Union of South American States (UNASUR) has been granted international legal status after registering on the United Nations forum.

The foreign minister stated that a draft resolution, co-sponsored by 35 countries, has also been passed giving the South American organisation observer status at the United Nations.

“Guyana as chair, subsequently registered UNASUR with the United Nations giving it that international legal status,” Rodrigues-Birkett said. Guyana commenced chairmanship of UNASUR in November 2010, and ended it in October 2011, when it was handed over to Paraguay.

The grouping has been focusing on the implementation of decisions already taken by the heads. Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that some of the major accomplishments included the entry into force of the constitutive treaty of UNASUR which was done in March 2011 when the body was able to secure nine ratifications required for the treaty to come into force.

“You will also recall when the summit was held in Guyana, on the additional protocol to the treaty, referred to as democratic law or commitment to democratic protocol.” According to Rodrigues-Birkett, that protocol has since been ratified by three countries, including Guyana. She disclosed that UNASUR is hoping to have the additional six ratifications from the other countries.

“We view it as a very important clause given the history of South American countries.” The foreign affairs minister revealed that UNASUR will be discussing the formulation of an electoral council similar to the observer missions within Caricom. “It’s a bit like what we are trying to do in UNASUR and additional meetings will be held on this,” the foreign minister remarked.

Despite this, UNASUR has observed elections in member states including Guyana, Paraguay and Bolivia. Rodrigues-Birkett said it is hoped that under the chairmanship of Paraguay, the council on electoral matters will be finalised. Guyana was also able to finalise the appointment of Colombian national, Maria Emma Mejia Velez, who currently serves as the secretary general of UNASUR. As agreed, the term of secretary general is to be divided into two, with Venezuelan minister, Dr Ali Rodriguez to serve the latter half of the term which will take effect later this year.

In 2011, UNASUR also saw the commencement of construction of the general secretariat to be headquartered in Ecuador.

In terms of Caricom, Rodrigues-Birkett detailed that the retreat hosted in Guyana saw several issues flagged that are of critical importance including education, energy, agriculture, foreign investment and information and communication technologes.

She noted that some work was done during the chairmanship by St Kitts, and with Suriname taking the helm of leadership, Guyana is optimistic that priority areas outlined will be given urgent attention, singling out the review of institutions within Caricom.

Guyana also passed an amendment to the Caricom Free Entry of Skilled Nationals Act, covering nine additional categories of skilled nationals under the free movement regime.

“That made us compliant with requirements under the Caricom Single Market and indeed Guyana is ahead of other Caricom countries in regards to where legislation is concerned,” Rodrigues-Birkett stressed.

Under Caricom, Guyana has also been in discussion with the United States government in relation to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

The minister stated that Guyana has participated in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton in Jamaica, where she announced US$ 77 million for the CBSI. A lot of groundwork has been done, and in 2012, Guyana expects to see great acceleration of the CBSI, Rodrigues- Birkett pointed out.