— Inaugural forum held in Washington, D.C. to mobilise global Guyanese talent

WITH Guyana on the cusp of transformative growth, members of the Guyanese diaspora gathered at the National Press Club, on Monday, for the launch of the Guyana Diaspora Forum Series: Building Towards 2050, an initiative aimed at strengthening diaspora engagement and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.

Organised by ACE Consulting Group in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana, the forum, held in Washington DC, brought together policymakers, diaspora professionals, private sector leaders, and development partners for a night of discussion centred on unlocking Guyana’s full potential through inclusive national development.

Delivering the opening address, Dr. Rosh Khan, President of ACE Consulting Group, called on diaspora members to embrace their role as strategic stakeholders in shaping Guyana’s next chapter.

“Guyana’s future will also be shaped by people who are willing to bridge continents and contribute where it matters most. Our diaspora holds the skills, insight, and global context to help Guyana rise. They are our strategic partners. This forum is a call to action to co-create a Guyana where opportunity reaches every region, and where every citizen, whether at home or abroad, has a role to play,” Dr. Khan declared.

The forum also featured keynote remarks from U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Nicole D. Theriot, who underscored the deepening ties between the United States and Guyana.
She highlighted American investment and support across sectors, including energy, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.

“Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a massive increase in commercial activity, and I am proud of the investments the U.S. Government and private sector have made in Guyana.
“Our collaboration spans many sectors—education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, defence and security, and agriculture, to name a few—all of which create a foundation for continued sustainable growth,” Ambassador Theriot said.

Adding a homegrown voice to the dialogue was His Excellency Samuel Hinds, Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, addressed the critical role the diaspora plays in bridging development goals with global innovation.

A fireside chat featuring key regional figures, Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana; Rosalinda Rasul, Head of the Diaspora Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Diletta Doretti of the World Bank Group and Rebecca Cvikota of ExxonMobil Guyana, explored themes of partnership, policy, and innovation.
Moderated by Mr. Wazim Mowla of the Atlantic Council, the panel stressed that diaspora engagement is no longer symbolic but central to national transformation.

“This forum marked a powerful reminder that the Guyanese diaspora is not peripheral. It is essential. Diaspora engagement is nation-building in real time,” said Mowla.
“By elevating the voices of young leaders, development experts, and policymakers, we are laying the groundwork for real impact, both in Guyana and across the region.”

The event also featured a youth panel, featuring Keith Cort, an MIT aerospace graduate student, and Khishan Singh, Operations Director at GAICO Construction Inc., both representing the next generation of Guyanese leaders ready to contribute to national development.

A networking reception capped the evening, fostering connections between diaspora professionals and policymakers.
The Guyana Diaspora Forum Series will continue in other cities across the United States and globally, as part of a long-term effort to mobilise Guyanese talent, capital, and expertise in support of Guyana’s development agenda leading up to 2050.