The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has strongly condemned a recent infringement on Guyana’s territorial integrity that occurred at the International Business Conference in Suriname. The conference, which was hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and organised by Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated and Global Event Partners, featured images that depicted the New River Triangle as part of neighbouring Suriname.
The New River Triangle dispute is a long-standing territorial conflict between Guyana and Suriname over a 15,000-square-kilometer area, which Guyana strongly rejects.
The GCCI, which also participated in the event, post conference has expressed its deep concern over the use of these images. The Chamber emphasised that the failure to object to their inclusion in the conference materials could be interpreted as tacit approval of a claim to part of Guyana’s sovereign territory. It stressed that silence in the face of such an infringement is inexcusable.
Guyana’s Ambassador, Virjanand Depoo was present at the conference.
This issue was first brought to national attention by Stabroek News, which highlighted the use of the misleading images. In response, the GCCI has called on other Business Support Organisations and agencies that supported the conference to reject these actions and distance themselves from any activities that violate Guyana’s national boundaries.
The Chamber further emphasised the importance of business leaders and organizations speaking out against any attempts to undermine the nation’s territorial integrity. As an active participant in the conference, the GCCI affirmed its commitment to defending Guyana’s sovereignty and protecting its national interests.