–strengthen cooperation in security, technology and food security anticipated, as two nations ink several MoUs
GUYANA and St. Kitts and Nevis have deepened their bilateral ties with the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday, aimed at boosting security cooperation, strengthening agriculture and food security, and modernising systems of governance.
The agreements inked between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew at the Office of the President here in Georgetown establish a formal framework for collaboration across key strategic sectors, with benefits expected to extend beyond the two States to the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
SECURITY COOPERATION
Under the MoU on security cooperation, Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis will work together on non‑lethal defence and security initiatives. The framework is intended to facilitate joint efforts to address shared security challenges, enhance capacity building, and promote stability within the region.
The agreement provides for closer coordination between defence and security institutions in both countries, laying the groundwork for training, information sharing, and other collaborative activities designed to strengthen resilience against evolving threats.
Guyana’s Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, and Major Kayode Sutton of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) inked this agreement.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
The second MoU focuses on agriculture and food security, prioritising collaboration to improve production, sustainability, and resilience within the agricultural sectors of both nations.
Through this agreement, Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis aim to develop a strategic partnership that supports innovation in farming practices, strengthens supply chains, and helps safeguard food security for their populations. The partnership is also positioned as a contribution to broader regional efforts to reduce food import dependence, and bolster self‑sufficiency across CARICOM.
GOVERNMENT MODERNISATION
The third MoU targets government modernisation, with both countries committing to working together to enhance public sector performance and accountability.
The agreement envisages cooperation to strengthen government capabilities, including performance assessment systems across ministries and public entities. By sharing best practices and modern governance approaches, Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis seek to improve service delivery and institutional effectiveness for the benefit of their citizens.
COMMITMENT TO BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
In remarks delivered during the proceedings, President Ali also highlighted the importance of safeguarding biodiversity as a foundation for the survival of pharmaceutical industries, cultural heritage, and the planet itself as St. Kitts joined Guyana’s Global Biodiversity Alliance.
The President underscored that, in a world where more than 60 per cent of biodiversity has been lost over the past 50 years, alliances such as this are vital.
Last month, the two leaders had announced plans to formalise a deeper bilateral partnership through an official development framework.
“We have decided that this long historic relationship of our two countries must now take deeper roots and greater structure and because of that decision… we will have an official development framework grounded in a number of MoUs, identifying a number of priorities that we will pursue together in the interest of the development of our countries and the people of our countries,” President Ali had said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Drew had noted that the agreements are aimed at strengthening integration between the two nations and improving opportunities for the Guyanese diaspora residing in the twin-island federation.
