Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd addresses his regional counterparts during the virtual Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Forum for the Progress and Integration of South America (PROSUR)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd, today reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to regional integration during the virtual Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Forum for the Progress and Integration of South America (PROSUR).
“We are resolute in our commitment to working with the membership of PROSUR to advance the program of work under the six thematic areas: infrastructure, health, energy, security, defense, and disaster risk management,” Minister Todd said. Further, he noted the importance of democracy in the region. “The consolidation of regional integration requires the practice of democracy and the implementation of democratic principles by Member States through free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the respect of human rights and other fundamental freedoms,” the Foreign Minister stated. “Failure to adhere to these practices can have consequences,” he continued.
Minister Todd also extended congratulations to Colombia, which will hold the Pro Tempore Presidency of PROSUR in 2021. Chile currently serves as Pro Tempore President.
Today’s meeting was held in preparation for the Summit of the Heads of State of PROSUR, which will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
PROSUR was launched in 2019 following division amongst Members States of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The regional mechanism provides a platform for the integration of South America through dialogue, coordination, and regional cooperation among the body’s eight Member States: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay.