—amid global crises in Ukraine, Gaza & Haiti
GUYANA’S President Dr. Irfaan Ali has warned that the ongoing global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with the decades of instability in Haiti, are not only directly affecting these nations but costing the world.

The head of state made these remarks on the podcast: The Rest Is Politics: Leading with Alastair Campbell, making him the first sitting President from the Americas to appear on the show. This podcast deals with British and global politics.

The President was frank in pointing out that global confidence in the international system is eroding, and this must be addressed head-on. Making Guyana’s position clear on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Ali said: “Every country has a right to sovereignty, and every country’s sovereignty must be fully respected and I believe that the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian government deserve to live in their sovereign space, and I believe that there must be de-escalation, and this war must come to an end. It’s not only costing Russia and Ukraine; it’s also costing the world.”

As it relates to Gaza, the President has made it clear that there is only one solution, and that is a two-state solution, describing the situation in Gaza as genocide.

“What is happening in Gaza is unbelievable,” the President said. President Ali stressed the need for dialogue, negotiation, and principled action by the international community on Ukraine, Gaza, and Haiti.

He highlighted that vital global resources from the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU), and the United States (US) have been diverted to these conflicts – resources that could have been used for humanitarian efforts and restoring democracy. Every time funds are redirected to war, financing for critical global issues is postponed, the President explained.
He contrasted the billions spent on these conflicts with what many see as underinvestment in Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere. Beyond the conflicts themselves, President Ali said these crises, and the lack of principled action, underscore the failures of international systems such as the United Nations (UN).
“Haiti, Ukraine, Gaza have really dealt a severe blow to the UN, because if the UN is unable to meet its mandate, and basically that is what is happening, and that is what is leading to the conversation as to whether the UN is failing, because if we are all part of this family, the United Nations, and nobody respects the rules of the family, or respect the decision of the family, then you will have difficulties in the future,” President Ali said.
He further emphasised the need for bold UN reforms that ensure compliance with the rules, respect for UN decisions, and universal acceptance of its authority.
“The system cannot be hijacked,” the President said.
He also noted that resources spent at the UN on various reports and committees, many of which focus on developing countries, often produce findings based on perception rather than facts.
“These are things that need to be addressed. There can’t be different systems of reporting for different countries or different regions,” President Ali affirmed.
He further stated that the UN Security Council must be expanded.
“Look at the global population and representation. If it’s based on representation, we always talk about democracy and the levels of representation in a democratic system. There is no democratic system in the Security Council when you look at the representation.
“So, these things must be fixed. You know, we can’t postpone these problems. We have to fix these problems. And the way you fix these problems is by frank conversation, accepting that the system is failing and accepting that there is a need for reform, and what areas of reform are critical.”