PRESS RELEASE : FCDO Head of Latin America Department James Dauris’ travel to Guatemala [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 October 2022.
Deputy Director of the Americas and Head of Latin America Department at the FCDO James Dauris will travel to Guatemala 24-25 October.
Deputy Director Dauris will meet with Guatemalan Government Officials, private sector leaders, and broader civil society groups. The Deputy Director’s trip underscores the UK’s strong commitment to the UK-Guatemala solid relationship.
At meetings with Guatemalan government officials, he will discuss shared priorities on a host of issues, including Ukraine, climate change, human rights, transparency and economic prosperity.
On Ukraine, Deputy Director Dauris will discuss the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on food and energy prices, while commending Guatemala’s own leadership in deploring Russia’s actions, and commitment to engaging multilaterally to end this war.
He will urge Guatemala to continue showing ambition in the fight against climate change. These plans will complement the UK’s investment of US$20 million in Mesoamerica, including Guatemala, through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, to reduce poverty and create climate resilience from 2023.
Deputy Director Dauris will also encourage Guatemala to seize the opportunities of the UK-Central America Association Agreement, while stressing the need for continued Guatemalan efforts to tackle corruption and improve the business environment.
With the private sector, the Deputy Director will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the global economic environment and strategies to support the long-term development objectives of the Guatemalan economy, including those that have been negatively hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At meetings with civil society groups, Deputy Director Dauris will stress the unequivocal UK commitment to protect human rights, ranging from the situation of media freedom in the country, to listening to human rights defenders and continue advocating for the rights of LGBTQI persons.
