Guyana’s President Calls for Transnational Strategy to Tackle CARICOM’s Pressing Challenges
By: , July 8, 2025
Photo: Adrian Walker
Prime Minister of Jamaica and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chair, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), engages in discussion with President of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during an External Trade Negotiation Committee Breakfast Meeting at the Jewel Grande Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, on Monday (July 7), alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith. The event was part of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from July 6-8 under the theme: ‘People, Partnership and Prosperity— Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future’.The Full Story
Guyana’s President, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has asserted that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations must transcend national boundaries in policymaking if they are to effectively confront the region’s most urgent challenges.
He emphasised the need for Member States to work together to address the challenges impacting the region.
“There [are] the [challenges] of climate security, food security, and, of course, national security. What we are sure of is that the only way we can get ahead of these challenges is if we work together in an integrated way, if we have policy formulation that supports each other… in which the policies go beyond national borders and across borders,” Dr. Ali maintained.
He was speaking with journalists during the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James from July 6 to 8.
Dr. Ali noted that much of CARICOM’s current work is focused on building a policy environment that supports regional development, accelerates collective growth, and addresses critical issues from a transnational perspective.
“On crime and security, for example, there are many things that have to work together. One is the infrastructure, [another] is the legislative agenda, ensuring that we have the right legal framework, [and] ensuring that the judicial system is working in an efficient, reliable way. Then, of course, importantly, is the investment in our borders and the technology that will support internal security from the issues that we have at the border,” he stated.
On climate change, Dr. Ali emphasised that CARICOM, as one of the most affected regions, has demonstrated “the greatest leadership” on the issue.
He pointed out that while Member States have been making strides in addressing climate challenges, greater collaborative effort is needed.
“When you look at the work on financing from Barbados, Prime Minister [Mia] Mottley is leading in the innovative ways in which she’s trying to raise funds and create awareness in terms of the funding adaptation and mitigation measures,” Dr. Ali said.
The President also pointed out that Guyana is “leading the world now on forests.”
“We are co-chairing the Forest Leadership Group globally. We are one of the countries that has a tested model on carbon credits for the forest, and it’s a model that the world is pursuing now. We are [also] launching the Global Biodiversity Alliance and Summit,” Dr. Ali further indicated.
He noted that while the region is punching above its weight in climate and environmental leadership, “we are also the most vulnerable; so we need to keep punching above our weight if we’re to survive and succeed.”