President Dr. Irfaan Ali earlier this week welcomed Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, for high-level talks in Georgetown, emphasising plans to broaden cooperation in food security, energy, climate action and digital government.
Describing Singapore as “one of those countries that has done extraordinarily well for its citizens”, President Ali said the two states were working to expand their bilateral relationship and build a framework for long‑term collaboration.
“Though small, [Singapore] has led the world in many significant areas government efficiency, transparency, building out a modern economy, digitisation, and building infrastructure that really reflect the future,” President Ali said.
He noted that Guyana aims to draw on Singapore’s experience as it accelerates the modernisation of government services, particularly through artificial intelligence, digitisation and technology.
FOCUS ON FOOD SECURITY, ENERGY AND CLIMATE
President Ali highlighted ongoing and emerging areas of cooperation, pointing to existing work on carbon credits and climate‑related initiatives, which both sides intend to strengthen.
“We [will] work towards expanding our bilateral relationship, creating the framework through which we can learn from each other, in which we can look at opening up opportunities for food security, and of course, in the area of energy, “he said adding:
“We already have partnership in the area of carbon credits and climate-related matters, we’re looking to expand those partnerships, we’re looking to further elaborate on that foundation that has been set. We’re looking for Singapore joining the Global Biodiversity Alliance, and of course, gaining a lot of technical support as we look towards implementing AI digitization and technology as mainstream aspects of advancing the modernization of government and government services.”
SINGAPORE BACKS GUYANA’S ‘ONCE‑IN‑A‑LIFETIME’ MOMENT
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr. Balakrishnan described the visit as a “privilege” and framed the relationship as one between two small, young countries navigating a rapidly changing global environment.
“We are both small countries, young countries, facing a world which is replete with both opportunities and threats, and times like this, it’s all the more important for us to double down, work together, have a careful assessment of where the opportunities are, and how we can work more closely together,” Dr Balakrishnan said.
He stressed that human development and capacity building would be central to the partnership, positioning education and training as key to securing a “better and brighter future”.
“Guyana is at the moment in its history a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity, and to the extent that Singapore, in our own small and brotherly way, can be part of this incredible journey that you’re on, it will be a fulfilling and worthwhile exercise for both our nations,” he added.
The discussions form part of Guyana’s wider push to leverage new partnerships as it manages rapid economic growth, while maintaining a focus on climate resilience, food security and digital transformation in the public sector.
