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As part of a three-day visit to Guyana, aimed at gaining a clear understanding of the region’s concerns and priorities, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Kamalesh Sharma, today, met with Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Dr. Barton Scotland, in the Speaker’s Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam. 
During the visit, Speaker Scotland advised Mr. Sharma on the current work of National Assembly and that of the Parliament Office. The Secretary-General in turn assured the Speaker of a continued partnership between the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Guyana’s Parliament to strengthen and support the work which lies before the National Assembly. This work, he said, is mainly to develop the sinews of democracy.
Mr. Sharma further noted that the office of  Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,  attaches an importance to the culture of democracy and it is always a special moment when the Secretary- General goes to the place where the heart of democracy lies. The meeting also saw Guyana’s Speaker agreeing to work closely with the Secretariat and the CPA to explore ways in which they can further assist the National Assembly in discharging its tasks. The Secretary-General also voiced optimism that a Parliamentary Opposition will soon be installed.
As is customary, the visit concluded with a tour of the Parliament Chamber where the Secretary-General expressed his admiration for the Chamber’s ceiling, which is considered to be the most artistic and ornate of legislative Chambers in the English-Speaking Caribbean. He also remarked on the statue of Hubert Nathanial Critchlow located in the compound of Parliament.
Mr. Sharma will continue a series of high-level engagements in the Caribbean including attendance at the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting to be held in Barbados from 2-4 July, 2015.The trip to the region and consultation with Heads of Government is part of the Secretary-General’s preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in Malta on 27-29 November 2015.