Topic: 2024-The Situation in Guyana
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Hayden Graham
Country: Republic of Korea
Committee: SPECPOL
Topic: 2024-Situation in Guyana
Delegate: Hayden Graham
School: Williamston High School
Guyana, located in the northern part of South America, has undergone significant political, economic, and social changes in recent years. The discovery of vast oil reserves offshore has transformed Guyana’s economic outlook, attracting international attention and investment. However, this newfound wealth has also brought about challenges, including concerns over governance, environmental sustainability, social inequality, and the management of natural resources. Guyana’s political landscape has also experienced tension, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 general elections, which saw disputed results and prolonged political instability. The situation has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, the rule of law, and the protection of democratic norms. While the political environment has calmed since the peaceful resolution of the election dispute, the country still faces significant challenges in consolidating democratic institutions, ensuring good governance, and addressing the needs of its diverse population.
The South American country of Guyana has been at the focus of a protracted territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region for a long time. Although tensions remain high since the region’s declaration of independence, the conflict extends back to the 19th century. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2018 that the dispute should be resolved through peaceful negotiation and why. While Venezuela has expressed opposing views, the Republic of Korea strongly believes in upholding the rule of law and promoting peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue. In addition to its territorial issues, Guyana has seen tremendous economic growth in addition to the territorial dispute, especially due to the recent discovery of substantial offshore oil reserves. However, this progress has created new issues, such as the possibility of economic mismanagement, environmental concerns, and the necessity for strong infrastructure to accommodate rapid economic growth.
The Republic of Korea is dedicated to assisting Guyana’s sustainable development and acknowledges these complexities. The Republic of Korea asserts its adherence to international law principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful conflict resolution. According to the International Court of Justice’s verdict, the ROK thinks that diplomatic negotiations are the best way to settle the conflict between Guyana and Venezuela. The Republic of Korea encourages both countries to participate in constructive negotiations and reiterates that military solutions are unacceptable under any circumstances. The Republic of Korea recognizes the value of regional collaboration in preserving South American stability. The ROK believes that Guyana’s territorial conflict with Venezuela should not lead to wider regional instability. Supporting multilateral measures that encourage communication and cooperation between Guyana, Venezuela, and surrounding nations is a priority for the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the Republic of Korea is willing to contribute to international efforts to promote peace and regional security through institutions such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS). To advance regional stability, the Republic of Korea advocates for increased regional cooperation. This involves encouraging conversation between South American countries and international entities to ensure that the situation in Guyana does not lead to widespread instability. The Republic of Korea is completely committed to Guyana’s peaceful, sustainable, and successful future. The Republic of Korea thinks that by encouraging communication and cooperation, as well as promoting responsible economic progress, Guyana may overcome its obstacles and become a model for regional development. The Republic of Korea remains committed to cooperating with the international community to ensure that Guyana’s territorial dispute is addressed peacefully and that its economic development is inclusive and environmentally responsible.
Works Cited
McDonald, Lewis, and Murat Üngör. “New Oil Discoveries in Guyana since 2015: Resource Curse or Resource Blessing.” Resources Policy, vol. 74, Dec. 2021, p. 102363, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102363. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
“Migration and Development.” Google Books, 2015, books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=XESeBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA92&dq=guyana+population&ots=zfGmRacu_I&sig=6FqrUMigZI3bqzRlYUPJ9oTow4A#v=onepage&q=guyana%20population&f=false. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Premdas, Ralph R. “Elections and Political Campaigns in a Racially Bifurcated State: The Case of Guyana.” Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, vol. 14, no. 3, Aug. 1972, p. 271, https://doi.org/10.2307/174918. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
“World Bank Open Data.” World Bank Open Data, 2017, data.worldbank.org/country/guyana. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
