Prioritising only political solutions in conflicts where poverty and underdevelopment feature prominently will not lead to comprehensive and sustainable peace.
This view was expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, during his contribution to the United Nations Security Council open debate on Poverty, Underdevelopment and Conflict: Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security.
“It is equally critical to create conditions for socio-economic stability and well-being. We must therefore address inter alia lack of economic opportunities, lack of access to education, underemployment and exclusion. It is also important to strengthen national institutions as part of peace-building efforts, including those institutions that foster social and economic development. Our global institutions must support these efforts.
“We have been speaking for decades about the need for reform of the international financial institutions. We must also see this reform as important for peace and security. In fact, there is truth in the saying that being poor is expensive, since developing countries expend more to access finance,” he said.
During his address to the distinguished gathering, Minister Todd also underscored the need for the global financial architecture to be more responsive to the needs of developing countries, particularly those transitioning out of conflict.
“This is critical for de-risking and resilience building. I underscore the example, the IMF’s conclusion that every $1 spent on conflict prevention in countries with recent violence could save up to $103 in costs. Some macroeconomic policies and international support for these policies can play key roles in conflict prevention. This should be an element in the Council’s early recovery efforts. This brings me to my next point. Participation of women and youth as part of a broader approach to peace and security. Currently, the global youth population is the highest in history, with most young people concentrated in developing countries. For us to harness their full potential, they must be given adequate economic opportunities and be involved in decision-making on peace and security,” the minister noted.
Minister Todd told the august gathering that involvement in addressing poverty and underdevelopment also acts as a deterrent to recruitment and radicalisation by terrorists and armed groups. He referenced a 2023 UNDP report, which found that economic motivation was the primary reason young people joined and left extremist groups—while ideology was a lesser factor.
Guyana currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of June. This marks Guyana’s second high-level open debate since assuming its current two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Council in January 2024.
During its first presidency in February 2024, President Irfaan Ali personally chaired a signature event focused on “The Impact of Climate Change and Food Insecurity in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security.”
Under President Ali’s leadership, Guyana has prioritised five key areas during its term, namely climate change, food security, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, women and global security, and youth and children in peace and security.
Guyana’s current tenure marks its third time serving on the Security Council, with previous terms in 1975–1976 and 1982–1983.
