–President Ali anticipates after being conferred with Order of Merit Fort São Joaquim
–says Brazil’s leadership can help ensure developing nations are not relegated to margins of global trade

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to fostering closer ties with the State of Roraima, and by extension the Federative Republic of Brazil, during a one‑day visit to the neighbouring state, on Monday.
Along with bilateral discussions with the Governor of the State of Roraima, Antonio Denarium, and two Brazilian senators, the President was also conferred with the State of Roraima’s highest award—the Medalha Forte São Joaquim (Order of Merit Fort São Joaquim), in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima, Brazil.
During the engagement, President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to fostering closer ties with Brazil and with Roraima, the closest state to Lethem.
“We are determined to work collaboratively to remove barriers to trade, improve connectivity, and create an enabling environment for private-sector engagement. In doing so, we are guided by the principle that economic co-operation must ultimately serve the well-being of our people.”
In accepting the award, the President said, “I see this as a singular honour, and one that I receive not merely in my personal capacity, but as President of the Co‑operative Republic of Guyana, on behalf of the Government and people of our nation. I feel deeply honoured to join the lineage of persons to have been so invested.”
The President highlighted that the State of Roraima is regarded as a vital frontier of economic potential, strategically positioned to serve as a bridge between northern Brazil, Guyana, and the wider Caribbean.
“Over the years, Roraima has demonstrated remarkable growth and development, underpinned by vision, determination, and an openness to regional partnership. Infrastructure expansion, agricultural development, energy initiatives, and cross‑border trade have all contributed to Roraima’s emergence as a dynamic and forward‑looking state.”
President Ali reminded his audience that Guyana is undergoing its own transformative development, which he said compels his government “to look outward to strengthen partnerships, deepen regional integration, and to ensure that development benefits not only our people, but our neighbours as well.”
“It is therefore my firm expectation that the parallel growth trajectories of Guyana and Roraima will accelerate investment and trade across our shared border.”
He added that the possibilities for co-operation between the two countries in areas such as food security; improved transport and logistic linkages; enhanced energy collaboration and greater movement of goods, services, and people are significant.
The President also underscored Brazil’s important role in strengthening co-operation with Guyana and the Caribbean. He said that Brazil’s economic scale, technical expertise, and regional leadership make it a natural and indispensable partner in advancing South American–Caribbean integration.
“Brazil’s leadership can help ensure that developing nations are not relegated to the margins of global trade, but [are] empowered economically.”
The President added that as neighbours, it is the two countries’ duty to ensure the prosperity built benefits the peoples of both countries.