– President Ali declares at Independence Anniversary Celebration

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has praised the enduring and secure relationship between the USA and Guyana, despite numerous challenges.
He made those remarks when he delivered congratulatory remarks at the United States’ 248th Independence Anniversary cocktail ceremony, held recently at the Pegasus Suites in Georgetown.

President Ali acknowledged the United States as a “great friend” to Guyana and emphasised the commitment of both nations to collaboratively address issues. “Collectively and together, we have many challenges that we have committed ourselves to confronting. Whether it is transnational crimes, the sharing of information, or greater integration of our system to support a rule-based society, we are both committed to the task of building an unbreakable friendship and relationship that is grounded in, and respects, values and the rule of law,” stated Ali.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure that the institutions, governance systems, and collaborative methods of both countries are integrated to maintain and institutionalise their relationship.

“What we are working on is a project that will institutionalise this relationship; it is not based on the politics of the region or the politics of the country; it is based on respect, values, the rule of law, and institutions that secure and cement that relationship,” he added.
President Ali also noted the significant increase in the number of US-based companies operating in Guyana over the past three years.

He pointed out the extensive collaboration between the two countries in various sectors such as oil, gas, environment, infrastructure, health, tourism, hospitality, and services industries.

“We want to see this greater integration, which helps us have a greater cultural infusion. I am now looking forward to having our US/Guyana strategic dialogue soon, in which we will outline strategic issues, strategic policies, and strategic opportunities for collaboration with the US and Guyana’s policymakers, as well as the US/Guyana private sector and security architecture,” Ali said.

Additionally, President Ali announced plans for a “round table” discussion with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to connect with key U.S. CEOs and explore more business opportunities in Guyana. He also mentioned efforts to access the U.S. market for Guyanese food and aquaculture products, particularly prawns.

On national security, President Ali emphasised the unprecedented level of integration, trust, and collaboration between the two nations.

He praised U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot and her team for their seamless integration with the Guyanese team. “There has never been a time in the history of our relationship that we have had this level of integration, this level of trust, this level of sharing, and this level of common platform through which our security architecture is operating and integrating itself. And we are seeing the successes,” he stated.

President Ali also highlighted the various training and specialty courses now available to Guyanese servicemen and women, thanks to U.S. support.

“We have a greater information-sharing platform that we never had access to before, we have greater trust between ourselves, and this has resulted in marked improvements; this has brought tangible results in every aspect of our security architecture,” he said, citing successes in combating illicit drugs, money laundering, criminal activities, and arms trafficking.

In conclusion, President Ali underscored the importance of democratic values shared by both nations and stressed the need for developing countries to commit to furthering their own development.

“To pursue our development, we must also commit ourselves to the strengthening of democratic norms, a democracy within our system, so that we do not need to be reminded, or we do not need democracy to be enforced for us. We must live it, we must breathe it, and we must entrench it in our system,” he declared.