Following the appointment of David Lammy as the UK’s new Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali has extended his congratulations and reassurances of continued strong relations between Guyana and the United Kingdom.

In a statement on his official Facebook account, President Ali detailed his conversation with Lammy, who is the son of Guyanese immigrants.

“I had the pleasure of speaking with the UK’s new Foreign Secretary, the Right Honourable David Lammy. I congratulated him and his government and assured him of Guyana’s strong friendship and partnership,” President Ali said.

During the conversation, President Ali addressed critical regional issues, including the recent impact of Hurricane Beryl and the need for international support in the wake of the disaster.

“I updated him on the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the region and the need for support and collaboration from the international community,” President Ali said.

President Ali also highlighted the importance of the UK’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in light of ongoing regional tensions.

“Regarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, he assured me of the continued support of the United Kingdom,” he added.

The discussion also touched on economic ties and future investments.

President Ali expressed optimism about the potential for increased UK investment in Guyana, facilitated by the UK Export Finance (UKEF) support. “

We also discussed our bilateral relationship, investments, and the UKEF support for the development of Guyana,” President Ali said.

David Lammy, who has Guyanese heritage, acknowledged the deep connections between the UK and Guyana.

Lammy shared his enthusiasm for his new role on his official ‘X’ account, stating, “It is the honour of my life to be appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The world faces huge challenges, but we will navigate them with the UK’s enormous strengths. We will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home.”

Lammy’s appointment is expected to bolster the UK’s engagement with Commonwealth nations, leveraging his unique heritage and extensive experience.

Born to Guyanese parents, Lammy has consistently shown support for Guyana, raising pertinent issues in the UK parliament, including the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

At 51, Lammy has a distinguished career as an English Labour politician and lawyer, having served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tottenham since 2000 and as Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs since 2021.

His diverse background and commitment to international diplomacy position him to strengthen the UK’s global partnerships.