Your Excellency, I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence accrediting you as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and I welcome you to my country.
I ask that you convey to His Majesty, King Harald my best wishes for his personal well-being and for the prosperity of the people of the Kingdom of Norway.
Excellency, your accreditation today provides fresh evidence of the close relations between Guyana and Norway. Guyana values its great friendship with Norway.
Guyana and Norway established diplomatic relations on the 2nd August 1979. We will celebrate, next year, the fortieth anniversary of diplomatic relations. Those relations are predicated on 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 regional peace and security.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway regarding Cooperation on Issues related to the Fight against Climate Change, the Protection of Biodiversity and the Enhancement of Sustainable Development, signed on 9th November 2009, was a trailblazer in forest-climate partnerships. We are proud of that agreement.
This agreement outlined a pathway towards providing the world with a replicable model of how Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) could align a country’s development objectives with efforts to combat the threat of climate change. Our partnership has helped to improve forest management; it has helped to preserve rainforests and biodiversity and it has helped to prepare for greater renewable energy generation and use.
As you’re aware, Guyana aims at becoming a ‘green’ state – one which will place increased emphasis on the protection of the environment, the preservation of biodiversity, the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.
Guyana looks forward to enhanced environmental cooperation with Norway based on the principle of sovereign equality of states, as it progresses towards a low-emission pathway to development. We welcome Norway’s offer to contribute to the development of Guyana’s renewable energy mix. Guyana looks forward to working with Norway in these and other areas of cooperation for our mutual benefit.
Excellency, I congratulate you on your appointment and I assure you of the fullest cooperation of my government as you discharge your duties as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Welcome and congratulations.
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