‘Essequibobelongs completely toGuyana’
ONtheeveofGuyana’s 60thIndependenceAnniversary,PresidentDr.IrfaanAlisentaclearanduncompromisingmessagethat
—PresidentAli asserts,reaffirms country’scommitment todefending territorialintegrity, sovereignty
theCountrywillcontinue tosafeguarditssovereignty anddefenditsterritorial integritythroughinternationallaw.
SpeakingbeforethousandsgatheredfortheDiamondJubileeobservance onFortIsland,PresidentAli situatedthecurrentdispute
withinGuyana’sbroader journeyfromacoloniallydependentstatein1966toone oftheworld’sfastest-growingeconomies.
Herecalledthat,atindependence,thecommanding heightsoftheeconomyincludingsugarandbauxite remainedunderforeigncontrol,whilecolonialrulehad deliberatelyfosteredethnic divisionamongAfrican,Indian,Indigenous,Portuguese, Chineseandmixedcommunities.
TurningtothelongstandingclaimbyCaracastomore thantwo-thirdsofGuyana’s territorytheEssequiboregionthePresidentsaidthe controversyhad“castalong shadow”overinvestment confidenceanddevelopment fordecades.
“Wewerebornasanationwithwoundsnotofour ownmakingandthen,asif thatwerenotenough,even beforetheinkdriedonour independence,aneighbour roseto[threaten]thatvery existencethroughpersistent threats,territorialclaimsand periodicactsofintimidation,”hesaid.
HecondemnedVenezuela’srefusaltoacceptthejurisdictionandeventualruling oftheInternationalCourtof Justice(ICJ),describingthis stanceas“notthelanguageof aneighbour.”
“TheEssequiboisGuyana’s,”thePresidentdeclared,asapplauseerupted acrossFortIsland.
Symbolically,thisyear’s Independencecelebrations wereheldintheheartof theveryregionVenezuela haslonglaidclaimto.Fort Island,hometotheDutch HeritageMuseumformerly knownastheCourtofPolicy andCombinedCourtBuildinghousesarichcollection ofartefactsunearthedfrom theformercoloniesofEssequibo,BerbiceandDemerara,alongsidehistoricmaps andexhibitionpanelsthat chronicleGuyana’scolonial historyandenduringtiesto theEssequiboregion.
ReassertingGuyana’slegalposition,Dr.Alistressed
thatthe1899ArbitralAward definitivelysettledthe boundaryandthatEssequibo is,andwillremain,Guyana’s.
“Howmanywouldhave imaginedthatwewouldhave beencelebratingourDiamondJubileehereonFortIsland,crossingtherivers,and establishingthefundamental truththatEssequibobelongs completelytoGuyana?”he said.
Heexpressedconfidence intheupcomingICJrulingandthankedtheUnited States,CARICOM,theCommonwealth,theOASand partnernationsforaffirming thatthreatstoGuyana’ssovereigntyareunacceptable.
Atthesametime,the PresidentwascarefultodistinguishtheVenezuelanstate fromitspeople,statingthat Guyanaholds“nomalice” towardsordinaryVenezuelans,whomhedescribedas neighboursandkinsfolk.
HepledgedthatGuyana wouldcontinuetopursuea peacefulresolution“through thecourts,throughdiplomacy,throughtheprinciplesof theUnitedNationsCharter andtheruleofinternational law,notthroughbelligerence.”
Duringapressconferencelastweek,thePresident commendedGuyana’slegal anddiplomaticteamforwhat hedescribedasacompelling presentationbeforethecourt, singlingoutthecountry’s agents,co-agents,legaladvisersandinternationalattorneysfortheireffortsduring theproceedings. Amongthoserecognised wereMinisterofForeign AffairsandInternational Co-operationHughTodd;AttorneyGeneralandMinister ofLegalAffairsAnilNandlall;formerForeignAffairs MinisterCarlGreenidge;as wellasinternationalcounsel, includingPaulReichlerand histeam.
PresidentAlisaidGuyanabelievesitsarguments demonstrateda“lackofmerit”inVenezuela’scase,both legallyandfactually.
“Weareveryproudof TURNTOPAGE8A
PresidentDr.IrfaanAliduringhisaddressontheeveofGuyana’s 60thIndependenceAnniversary.(DelanoWilliamsphoto)
FromSurvivaltoFulfilment: PresidentAlisaysGuyanais redefiningdevelopmentat60
ASGuyanaushersinits 60thDiamondIndependenceanniversary,PresidentDrIrfaanAliisurging thenationtoredefinewhat developmentmeans,noting thatroads,massiveinfrastructureandarisinggross domesticproduct(GDP) alonecannotmeasuretrue progress.
Speakingataninterfaith glorificationserviceheld earlyMondaymorningon thelawnsofStateHouse,he saidthatthecountrymust nowmovefromamentality ofsurvivaltooneofhuman fulfilment.
“Thenationhoodmust strivetowardeconomicjustice,socialharmony,human dignity,peace,andunity,and aboveall,acountrybuilton thefoundationoffaith.
Thehighestofnational developmentistocreate conditionsinwhichhuman beingscanbecomethebest versionsofthemselves,”he toldthegathering,emphasisingthatthecountry’sfuture successwoulddependas muchonvaluesasoneconomicindicators.Drawing heavilyontheteachingsof Islam,ChristianityandHinduism,DrAlidescribedlife asaprogressionfrom TURNTOPAGE8A
‘TruemeasureofNationhood isinwhatwepreserve’
THIRTYYEARSafter
Guyanamadethebolddecisiontoplacevaststretchesofitsrainforestunder protection,thecountryis beingurgedtoremember thatthetruestrengthof nationhoodliesnotonlyin whatitbuilds,butinwhat itchoosestopreserve.
Againstthebackdropof growingglobalconcernover climatechangeandenvironmentaldegradation,Natural ResourcesMinisterVickram Bharratrecentlyhailedthe IwokramaActasadefining symbolofGuyana’scommitmenttoconservation, sustainabilityandglobalenvironmentalleadership.
Deliveringthefeature addressonbehalfofPresidentDrIrfaanAliatthe30th anniversarycelebrationof thepassageoftheIwokramaAct,Bharratpraisedthe visionaries,managersand internationalpartnerswho havesupportedIwokrama’s missionsince371,000hectaresofforestweredesignated forconservationin1989.
Thisyear’sanniversary inparticularissymbolicasit alsoushersinGuyana’s60th IndependenceAnniversary. Hesaidthemovereflect-
ed“commitment,dedication andresponsibility”atatime whenGuyanawasfacingsignificanteconomichardship.
MinisterBharratnoted
thatthedecisiontosetaside nearlyonemillionacres demonstratedhowasmall nationcouldmakeamajor contributiontotheglobal fightagainstclimatechange, whilelayingthefoundation forforestprotection,expandedreforestationandsustainableconservationfinancing.
“Thiswasactuallyaselflessactbyacountrythat
wasingreatdepressionin 1989.Imagineacountryin thatkindofstate,in1989 setaside371,000hectaresof forestforconservation.That showscommitment,itshows dedication,anditshowsresponsibilityofasmallnation makingitscontributiontothe fightagainagainstclimate change,”hesaid.
BharrathighlightedGuy-
ana’snotablylowdeforestationratedespitebeingthe world’ssecond-mostforested country,andpointedtothe country’seffortstomaintain andexpandprotectedareas. HealsoaddressedGuyana’semergingstatusasan oilproducer,rejectingthe ideathathydrocarbonsand conservationaremutually TURNTOPAGE6A
‘LiquidIndependence’-DDLlaunches 60thanniversaryspecialeditionrum
SIXdecadesofGuyanese history,cultureandpride havebeendistilledinto asinglecommemorative blend,accordingtoDemeraraDistillersLimited’s (DDL)MasterDistiller, ShaunCaleb,whorecently unveiledaspecialElDoradorummarkingGuyana’s 60thIndependenceAnniversary.
Speakingatthelaunch ceremonylastweek,DDL’s DemeraraRumHeritage Museum,Calebsaidthe commemorativereleasewas craftedtoreflectGuyana’s journeyoverthepastsix decadeswhileshowcasing thequalityandcraftsmanship thathavemadeElDorado internationallyrecognised.
Heexplainedthatthespecialblendembodiesthespirit ofthenationandtheprideof theGuyanesepeople,noting thateveryelementofthe rumwasdesignedtohonour thecountry’sculturallegacy
Thecommemorativeblendwascraftedtoreflect Guyana’sjourneyoverthepastsixdecadeswhile showcasingthequalityandcraftsmanshipthathave madeElDoradointernationallyrecognized
PrimeMinister,BrigadierRet’dMarkPhillipsandKomalSamaroo,Executive ChairmanofDemeraraDistillersLimited(DDL)duringtherecentlaunchofDDL’s specialElDoradorummarkingGuyana’s60thIndependenceAnniversary
andachievementssinceindependence.Heexplainedthat theblendiscraftedfromsix
distinctrummarksagedbetween25and55years,each carryingitsownheritageand
flavourprofiledrawnfrom historicestatesacross TURNTOPAGE7A
‘TruemeasureofNationhood...
exclusive.
“Ourmodelisthateconomic developmentandenvironmentalsustainabilitycan coexist,”hesaid,acknowledgingthatrevenuesfromoil andgasareonlybeginning toflowbutinsistingthatall sectorsmustbepreservedand advancedresponsibly.
Acknowledgingongoing challenges,MinisterBharrat saidmoreworkremainsto bedonetorealisealltheobjectivesoftheconservation areaandstressedtheneed forcontinuedfunding,implementationandtechnical
expertise.
Hepraisedthecontributionofnationalandinternationalpartnersandhighlightedplanstocontinueexpandingtheexistingprotected areas,withworksalready underway.
Hefurtherchallenged Iwokrama’sboardofdirectorsandmanagementto establishanationalbiodiversityresearchexpansion programmeaimingtomake itthehubofGuyana’sbiodiversityscience.
Theprogrammeshould consolidatelong-termeco-
logicalresearch,species mapping,andclimateresiliencestudies.
Additionally,anopen-accessbiodiversitydataplatformistobecreated.
Theteamwasalsourged toexplorealow-impact, equitabletourismexpansion strategytopromotesustainabledevelopment.
“So,aswemark30 yearssincethepassageof theIwokramaAct,weare forminganaturalphilosophy. Independencegaveussovereignty.Ourgroundteachesus responsibility,andtogether
theyremindusthatthetrue measureofnationhoodisnot onlywhatwebuildbutwhat wepreserve,”hesaid.
Atitscore,Iwokrama, meaning“PlaceofRefuge” inMakushi,wasdesigned asalivingexperiment,a boldattempttoprovethat conservationandeconomic activitydonothavetoexist inconflict.
Instead,theCentrewas foundedonthebeliefthatforestscanbeusedresponsibly, communitiescanbenefitsustainably,andenvironmental protectioncancoexistwith
nationaldevelopmentwithoutdestroyingthenatural resourcesattheheartofitall.
Meanwhile,BritishHigh CommissionertoGuyana, JosephFisher,delivereda powerfulmessageonbehalf ofHisMajestyKingCharles III,celebratingGuyana’s globalleadershipinrainforest conservation.
IwokramawasestablishedafterGuyanatookthe historicdecisiontoofferthe IwokramaForesttotheCommonwealthandtheworld asa“livinglaboratory”for balancingconservationand development.
KingCharles’smessage placedthatdecisionfirmly inaglobalcontext,framing Iwokramaasamodelfor countriesseekingtoreconcile economicgrowthwithenvironmentalprotection.
“Afterthreedecadesof crucialmobilizationandresearchwork,IcanonlycommendtheCentre,itsstaffand itssupportersonwhatthey haveachievedandtheinspirationthattheyhaveprovided forpeopleandorganizations aroundtheworld,”theAmbassadorread.
GUYANA’SFOREST CONSERVATIONHISTORY:ASYNOPSIS
1990:Amulti-disciplinaryexpertteamvisited Guyana(May12–22)and recommendedajointprogrammetomanagerainforest sustainably.
1993:Guyanaallocated 360,000hectares(371,000 hectaresbycurrentmeasurement)ofintacttropicalforest andsecuredUS$3million fromtheGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF)forlegal establishment,boundarydemarcation,andresearch.
1995:TheIwokrama Agreementwassignedby PresidentDr.CheddiJagan
andCommonwealthSecretary-General,ChiefEmeka Anyaoku.
1996:TheIwokramaAct waspassedunanimouslyby Parliament,officiallyestablishingtheIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainForest ConservationandDevelopment(IIC).
BEYOND IWOKRAMA:LCDs
In2009,thethen-PresidentofGuyana,BharratJagdeo,launchedthecountry’s LowCarbonDevelopment Strategy(LCDS),whichwas believedtobethefirstsuch strategyfromanydeveloping countryintheworld.
Itwaswidelyrecognised asapioneeringefforttoalign economicgrowthwithenvironmentalsustainability, whilecreatingamodelfor valuingtheworld’stropical forestsaspartofthesolution toclimatechange.
2009:Signedabilateral agreementwithNorway; GuyanaearnedapproximatelyUS$220million(2010–2015)formaintaininglow deforestationrates 2022:LowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS) 2030wasrelaunchedand presentedtotheNationalAssemblyfollowinganational consultativeprocessthatbeganinOctober2021
2022:Becamethefirst countryworldwidetoreceive ART-TREESjurisdictional forestcarboncredits 2022:CompletedahistoricUS$750millioncarbon creditsalewithHessCorporation(one-thirdofcredits through2030)
2025:Technologygiant, Apple,tooknewstepinits sustainabilityeffortsby purchasing100,000jurisdictionalcarboncredits, sourcedfromGuyana’svast forest.
‘LiquidIndependence’ -DDLlaunches60th anniversaryspecial editionrum
Guyana. “Thisexclusive60thanniversaryrumsymbolisesoursix peoplesofGuyanawithan exclusiveblendofsixmarks ofrumaged25to55years,” Calebsaid.
Headdedthattheblend reflectsbothcontinuityand craftsmanship,bringingtogethercenturies-oldmethods andrareagedstockstoproducewhathedescribedasa world-classexpressionofEl Dorado.
Meanwhile,PrimeMinisterBrigadier(Ret’d)Mark PhillipshassaidthatGuyana’sgloballyacclaimedEl Doradobrandcontinuesto showcasethecountry’sheritageandexcellencetothe world,asDemeraraDistillers Limited(DDL)launcheda speciallimited-editionrumto commemorateGuyana’s60th IndependenceAnniversary.
ThePrimeMinistermade theseremarksonTuesday, whilespeakingatthelaunch ceremonyheldatDDL’s DemeraraRumHeritage Museum,duringwhichhe statedthatthecommemorativereleasesymbolisesGuyana’sjourneyoverthepast sixdecadesandreflectsthe country’sresilience,culture andcraftsmanship.
“Istandherewithyou, andIamcallingthisrum ‘liquidindependence’,”the PrimeMinisteraddingthat thelimited-editionrelease capturestheessenceofGuyana’sjourneyoversixdecades,notingthatitisinfused withnationalprideandculturalidentity.
“Thestorybehindthis rumisworthfarmorethan anypricetag,becauseitis notjustrum.Itishistory,
FROM PAGE 5A
heritageandheartpoured intoabottletomark60years ofGuyanesefreedom,pride andprogress.”hesaid.
Ashedrewacomparison tothecountry’sglobalidentity,PMPhillipslikenedEl Doradotoasymbolofinternationalrecognition.
“Whereverthisrumgoes intheworld,itopensdoors, commandsrespect,andremindseveryonethatsomethingsmallcanbeworldclass,”thePrimeMinister remarked.
Againstthisbackdrop,he highlightedtheimportance oftherumandsugarindustriestoGuyana’sbroader economicandculturalfabric,warningthatchangesin globaldemandandproductiontrendscontinuetoaffect exports.Henotedthatrum productionisinseparable fromsugar,stressingthat anydeclineinsugaroutput hasdirectimplicationsfor molassessupply,jobsand foreignexchangeearnings.
“Youcannothaverum withoutmolasses,andyou cannothavemolasseswithoutsugar,”hesaid.
“So,whenwetalkabout thefutureofsugar,wemust alsotalkaboutthefutureof rumandthethousandsof jobsthatdependonit.”
Withthis,hefurthernoted thatmoreGuyaneseshould engagewithandsupport Guyaneseproducts,amid globalmarketpressures,as suchencouragingsupportof thedomesticindustries.
“Buylocalandconsume local.WhenyouchooseEl Dorado,youarenotjust choosingafinerspirit,you arekeepingaheritageindustryalive,”hesaid.
FromSurvivaltoFulfilment: PresidentAlisaysGuyanais...
fragilitytoresponsibilityto wisdom.InIslam,worldly lifeisseenasatemporary journeyofgrowthandaccountability;Christianity speaksofseasonsandatime “foreverypurposeunder heaven”;Hinduismsetsout thefourashramas,fromstudenttohouseholder,gradual withdrawalandfinallyrenunciation.
Acrossallthreefaiths,he said,thereisasharedunder-
standingthatmaturitymeans movingbeyondselfishness andmaterialgaintowards higherpurposeandservice.
Sixtyyearsafterindependence,DrAlisaidGuyana hasclearlyexitedthemost difficultphasesofhardship andscarcitybutnowfacesa subtlertest.
“Todaywestandinanew transitionalphaseshaped byextraordinarywealthand rapideconomicgrowth,”he
said,adding:
“Anationcanbecome richerwithoutbecomingfairer.Acountrycanbuildtall buildingswhilecommunities remainbroken.
Aneconomycanexpand whileinequalitydeepens,”he warned.
Thechallenge,hesaid, istoensurethatthecurrent economicboomdoesnot simplyreplaceonemodelof extractionwithanother,while
leavingordinarycitizens behind.
ForthePresident,thecentralquestionat60iswhether Guyanacantranslatenew wealthintoamorejust,compassionateandcohesivesociety.
“Wearenowbeingtested asasociety,”hesaid,describingthisperiodasapossible testof“howwetakecareof it,howweuseit,howhumble wearewithit…howgenerousweare.”
Hecalledfordevelopmentthatreacheseverypersonineveryregionacrossour country”andinstitutionsthat servefreedom,justiceand people’sneed.
Faith,inhisview,mustsit atthecoreofthateffort.
“Ibelievefirmlythatfaith isanessentialcharacterfor thegrowthandtransitionof anynation.AndtodayIcall uponmyselfandthepeople
ofthisbeautifulnationto acceptfaithasafoundational pillaruponwhichthiscountrywillproceedforwardand upwardtoacceptfaithasa cornerstoneofourdevelopment,“hesaid.
“Maywegrownotonly inwealthbutinwisdom,in faith.Maywerisenotonly inincomebutinjustice. Mayweadvancenotonlyin powerbutincompassion,” headded.
‘EssequibobelongscompletelytoGuyana’
thepresentationmadeatthe oralhearings.Webelieve thatourargumentswere compellingandconvincing, andtheyshowedalackof meritinVenezuela’scase, bothonthefactsandonthe law,”hesaid.
Atthecentreofthecase isthevalidityoftheArbitralAwardofOctober3, 1899,whichestablishedthe boundarybetweenthen-BritishGuianaandVenezuela. Venezuelaformallyrejected theawardin1962afterac-
ceptingitfordecades. GuyanainitiatedproceedingsbeforetheICJon March29,2018,seekinga finalandpeacefulresolution ofthecontroversyinaccordancewithinternationallaw. Sincethen,thecasehas progressedthroughseveral stages,includingwritten submissionsandpreliminaryobjectionsraisedby Venezuela.
In2020,thecourtconfirmedithadjurisdictionto hearthematter,andin2023
itdismissedVenezuela’s preliminaryobjections,allowingthecasetoproceed tothemeritsstage.
PresidentAlinotedthat bothGuyanaandVenezuela hadalreadysubmittedextensivewrittenpleadingsbetween2021and2025before oralhearingswereconducted earlierthismonth.
“Allthatnowremainsis forthecourttodeliberateon thematterbeforeit,especiallyonthevalidityofthe1899 ArbitralAward,andissueits
finaljudgement,whichwill belegallybindingonboth parties,”hesaid.
TheHeadofStatealso highlightedGuyana’scommitmenttointernational lawandpeacefulresolution, whileurgingVenezuelato respectthecourt’sauthority andrefrainfromactionsthat threatenGuyana’ssovereignty.
“Guyanahaspledged repeatedly,includingduring theseoralhearings,thatit willabidebythecourt’s
judgement,whateveritmay be,”PresidentAlistated.
Hewarned,however,that statementsfromVenezuelan officialsrejectingtheICJ’s jurisdictionandindicating theymaynotcomplywith thecourt’srulingwould constitutebreachesofinternationalobligationsunder theUnitedNationsCharter andtheCharteroftheOrganizationofAmericanStates.
“Itwillnotbetolerated bytheinternationalcommunity,whichdemandsa
worldorderbasedonlaw,” thePresidentsaid.
TheICJhadpreviously issuedprovisionalmeasures aimedatpreservingthestatusquowhilethecaseremainsbeforethecourt.
Mostrecently,inits December2023order,the courtdirectedVenezuela torefrainfromtakingany actionthatwouldalterthe existingsituationinthe territory,whichremains underGuyana’sadministrationandcontrol.
Fashioninfluenced bylovefornation
ByFaithGreene
ONmorethanoneoccasion,ithasbeensaidthat GuyaneseareGuyana’s biggestambassadors.This deepsenseofpatriotism andnationalprideisoftenreflectedbythosewho leavethecountry’sshores, whethertotravelabroador throughouttheCaribbean, inthewaytheyspeak,carrythemselves,andrepresenttheirhomelandwherevertheygo.”
FashionDesigner,Carol Fraserisaperfectexampleof this.Hailingfromtheancient county,Berbice,thecreative iconhasensuredshetakes theGoldenArrowheadwith her,wherevershegoes.
“Alotofpeopledidn’t knowaboutGuyana.WhenI goonthestageiswhenpeopleknowaboutGuyana… theywouldinterpretorcall ourcountryGhana,andthere iswhereIgetanopportunity topromotemycountry,”Caroltoldthismagazineduring anexclusiveinterview.
Herdesigns,oftenwoven intouniquegarmentsinspiredbyGuyana’sfloraand fauna,havebeenshowcased inover15countries,gracing runwaysthatmanyhaveonly dreamedof.
Thisyear,Caroliscelebratingfortyyearsinfashion, art,andpurpose.Sharing moreaboutthismilestone, thedesignersaiditisagreat accomplishmentforher,notingthatnoteveryartistgets theopportunitytolivetosee fourdecadesinanindustry, andremainrelevant.
THEBLUEPRINT: 25YEARSAGO
Reflectingonherjourney,Carolsaidshedidn’t findherselffullyengulfed infashionuntilaround25 yearsago.Herdecades-long careerbegansewingevening gowns,followingthethread andneedleofhermother whowasalsoaseamstress.
Continuingherrecollection,Frasersaidshehad muchwithinherselfbutoftenheldback.Ifshecould, sheadded,shewouldtell heryoungerselftospeakup more.
“Mymotherwantedme tostudylaw,Istillfeelthatif IgoanddoitnowIwoulddo verygood,andshewanted
metodomaths,andInever likedaccounting.[I]wentto classes,Iwenttoschool,but Idon’tlikeaccountancy.I don’tlikemaths,butwhen Istarttocreateanddesign, shestoppedmebecauseshe saidartistsdon’treallymake money,”shesaid,adding:
“Iusedtodoitfrombehind,whenI’moutofthe house.Idoitforpeople, andI’mtalkingatavery earlyage,youknow,butshe pushedmewiththesewing partofit,butnotart.”
Subsequenttothis,Carol pursuedacademicstudies attheBurrowesSchoolof ArtinGeorgetown.Theaim therewastolearnmoreabout fashion,however,Burrowes iswhereshealsodiscovered anothertalent:craft.
ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION
Sheexplainedthather tutoratBurrowesatthattime tooknoteofhowsheembracednature,andprovided herwithnaturalembellishmentssuchasbeads,seeds, twigsandotheritems,that shelaterincorporatedinto severalofherdesigns.
“IrealizedthatIhave apassionforeco-friendly clothes,soIusedtouselots ofbeads,lotsofcoconut and,Ihiredaguythatused tomakecoconutbuttonsfor me,coconutbuckles,coconutearrings,andIusedto incorporatethatwithbanana leaves,“shesaid.
However,duringthatera ofparticipatinginfashion shows“eco-fashion”wasnot asappreciatedorwelcomed, asitistoday.
Despitethis,sheheld firmlytohervisionand dreamtopursueherpassion forfashion,Frasernowinfuseseachcreationwitha patriotictouch,carryinga pieceofhomewithherin everydesignsheproduces.
Thisyear,Frasersaid shewillbeparticipatingin theOrigins:GuyanaFashionFestivalshowcase,and willbeintroducinganew linecalled‘FromAHumble BeginningtoAThriving Present’.
Thiscollectionwill reflectherjourney,from whenshefirstbegandesigning,depictingtrends fromdecadespasttotoday’sfashion.
CarolFraser
‘OnePeople,One Nation,OneDestiny’
ByFaithGreene
Fromoncebeinglabelled oneofthepoorestcountries inSouthAmericatonow standingastheworld’s
fastest-growingeconomy at60yearsold,Guyana’s journeyisnothingshortof remarkable.
Thispathtowardtransformationaldevelopmentdidnotbeginovernight.It starteddecadesago,whena courageousgroupofGuyanesetookthefirstboldsteps towardfreedom,organising withincommunities,engaginginfluentialfiguresofthe time,andpushingconversationsthateventuallycaptured bothnationalandinternationalattention.
Thoughthejourneywas farfromeasy,itlaidthe foundationfortheGuyanawe knowtodayandtheachievementswecontinuetocelebrate.
Asthenationcommemoratesthishistoricmilestone, manyGuyanesearereflecting ontheprogressmadeoverthe pastsixdecadeswithpride andoptimism.
Sharingherthoughtson theoccasion,Ms.Gileon JamessaidshebelievesGuyanahasindeedcomeavery farway.
‘60’,sheexpressed, shouldspeakofmaturity, “Fromthetimewegotindependencefrom1966tonow, itshouldtellusthatwehave grown.Andinmanyways, wherethereisstillimmaturity,weneedtogrowasa
nation,”Jamessaid.
Ms.Eveth,aRobbStreet vendor,pointedtothevibrant displayofpatriotismshining acrossthecity,notingthat thebeautifullydecorated buildingsandstreetscapes haveaddedarenewedsense ofprideandcelebrationtothe Independencefestivities.
“I’msohappythatwe’ve gainedindependence,andto seeallthebeautifulbuildings,justlookingshineand brightwiththecoloursof Guyana,”thewomansaid.
“Iwouldliketowishall ofGuyanaahappy60thIndependence,andit’swonderful toknowthatthegovernmenthastakensuchinitiative tohavesuchawonderful programmerightacrossthe country;and,it’snicethat peoplearehavingfun,”Kirtia,anotherpasserbyshared.
Ms.Khalle,anothervendor,sharedthatsheisproud tobealive,tocelebratethe country’s60thindependence anniversary.
Ms.Khalle (EltonJohnPhotos)
Sheencouragedfellow Guyanesetoembracethejoy oftheoccasionandtakepride inthenation’shard-fought independenceandcontinued progress. Khallealsoexpressed excitementforthemany activitiesongoingforthe DiamondJubilee,including theDroneshowslatedfor Tuesdayevening. Meanwhile,Jacqueline Josephcalledformoretobe donetohighlightGuyanese culture.Whileacknowledgingtheexistenceof“shows andfetes”,Ms.Josephsaid wemustbemorepatriotic asapeopleandutilizeour culturemore.
JacquelineJoseph
Kirtia
Eveth
GileonJames
GUYANAhasofficially launcheditsnationalgold andjewellerybrand,“El DoradoReimagined”,with PresidentDr.IrfaanAli declaringthatthecountry ismovingdecisivelybeyond theexportofrawgoldand intovalue-addedmanufacturingandglobalbranding.
Thelaunch,heldaspart ofGuyana’s60thIndependenceAnniversarycelebrations,alsosawtheunveiling ofthecountry’sfirst-ever Independencecommemorativegoldmedallionminted entirelyinGuyanausing100 percentlocallysourcedgold.
Addressingofficials, membersofthediplomatic corps,miners,jewellersand privatesectorrepresentativesgatheredattheevent, PresidentAlidescribedthe initiativeasadefiningmomentinGuyana’seconomic andculturaltransformation.
“Wearedemonstrating totheworldthatGuyanais capableofrefining,manufacturing,andexportingexcellence,”thePresidentsaid.
TheHeadofStatesaid theinitiativeformspartof thegovernment’sbroader pushtopositionGuyanaasa globallyrecognisedhubfor
--FirstGuyana-mintedgoldmedallionunveiledduring DiamondJubileecelebrations
—Commemorativepiececraftedentirelyfromlocally sourcedgoldundernew‘ElDoradoReimagined’brand
high-qualitygoldproducts andjewellerymanufacturing.
Thisinitiative,hesaid,is aboutcreatingvaluewithin Guyana,expandingopportunitiesforcitizenssupportinglocalcraftsmanship,and buildinganinternationally-respectedGuyanesegold identity.
Meanwhile,Ministerof NaturalResourcesVickram Bharratsaidthelaunchsignalledthestartofanewera forGuyana’sgoldindustry, onefocusedonretaining morevaluewithinthelocal economy.
“ElDoradoReimagined
istheresultofadeliberatenationalvisiontomove Guyanabeyondextraction andintovaluecreation.This brandrepresentsquality,authenticity,andnationalpride; itisaboutreshapingthenarrativeofGuyanesegold,and ensuringthatmoreofthe valuegeneratedfromour naturalresourcesremains withinourcountry,”Minister Bharratsaid.
Bharratalsohighlightedthesignificanceofthe commemorativemedallion, describingitasahistoric nationalartefact.
“Thismedallionisnot simplyacollectible;itisa symbolofGuyana’sprogress andadvancementsinthe sector,”hesaid.TheMinister TURNTOPAGE12A
‘ElDorado reimagined’
alsonotedthatthegoldwas mined,refined,designed, andmintedentirelyinGuyanabyGuyanese,marking whathedescribedasan extraordinaryachievement forthecountry.
Thelimited-editionmedallionwasstruckinone troyounceof.999finegold, andcreatedspecificallyto commemorateGuyana’s DiamondJubileecelebrations.Eachpiecebearsan individualserialnumber.
Theeventalsofeatured ajewelleryexhibitionorganisedinpartnershipwith theGuyanaJewellersAssociation,showcasingthe craftsmanshipandcreativity
oflocaljewellersandmanufacturers.
Vice-Chairmanofthe Association,VeadPersaud, describedthecollaboration asamajoropportunityfor thelocaljewelleryindustry.
“Thisisanimportant platformforGuyanesejewellerstoshowcasetheir talent,creativity,andcraftsmanship,alongsideanationalinitiativeofthismagnitude,”Persaudsaid.
Headdedthattheassociationremainscommitted tosupportingthegrowth ofamorestructuredand internationallycompetitive jewellerysector.
Emergingtalentfrom
theGuyanaMiningSchool wasalsofeaturedatthe exhibition,highlightingongoingeffortstostrengthen technicaltrainingandjewellerycraftsmanshipwithin thecountry.
Accordingtothegovernment,thelaunchof “ElDoradoReimagined” formspartofawider strategytoestablisha modern,regulatedand globallycompetitivegold andjewelleryindustry capableofgenerating greatereconomicvalue, employment,investment andinternationalrecognitionforGuyanese-made products.
PresidentDr.IrfaanAli’saddressattheFlagRaising CeremonyforGuyana’s60thIndependenceCelebration
“Thankyouverymuch. OurdearPrimeMinister; theChancelloroftheJudiciary;theSpeakerofthe NationalAssembly;allthe peopleofGuyana;adear friendofGuyana,Prime MinisterMiaMottleyof Barbados;formerPrime MinisterRalphGonsalves, adearfriendofGuyana; membersofthediplomatic community;andimportantlyonthissignificant occasion,afriendofGuyana,asisternation,representedthiseveninginthe formoftheVicePresident ofGhana.Pleaseputyour handstogetherforourdear sisterwhohasgracedus withloveandfriendship, distinguishedheadsofinternationalandregional organisationsandallthe membersofCabinetand membersofParliament, andaboveall,myfellow Guyanese.
Sixtyyearsago,tonight theGoldenArrowheadrose. Itroseaboveapeoplelong exploited.Itroseabovea landlongclaimedbyothers.Itrose,andithasnever comedownandso,aslong aswelive,itneverwill. Tonight,ontheDiamond JubileeofourIndependence, westandbeforetheworld, notassupplicants,notasthe forgotten,butasasovereign people,proud,unbroken,and unafraid.
Weareanationthatdared todream,anationthatendureddivisionandregression,andyetweareanation thathasemergedagainst alloddsasoneofthemost remarkablestoriesoftransformationthiscenturyhas produced,andIaskyouto putyourhandstogetherto allthemenandwomenwho toileverydaytoensurethis transformation,allourformer leaders,ourformerpresidents,ourcurrentleaders, andimportantlytheheads ofservicesstandinghereon thisstage,andallourmen andwomeninuniform,we needtoapplaudthemfor theirbravery,theircontinuousservice,andtheirlifeof dedicationtothiscountry.
Letusrememberthe GuyanaofMay26th,1966. Wewerebornintoindependence,poorinwealth butrichinhope.Wewerea nationinnamebutanation withadependenteconomy. Infact,thesugarestateswere stillinforeignhands,the bauxitemines,thebanks, thecommandingheights ofcommerce.TwoBritish companiesalone,Booker McConnellandJesselSecu-
ritiescontrolledourlargest agriculturalenterprises.The DemeraraBauxiteCompanyandReynoldsBauxite accountedfor45%ofour foreignexchangeearnings. Wehadanewflag,anew anthem,anewcoatofarms, butwewereinfactstillBritishGuianabyanothername.
Andwewerefractured, deliberatelyso.Colonial rulehadengineereddivision amongourpeoples,African andIndian,Indigenousand Portuguese,Chineseand Mixed,pittingcommunityagainstcommunity,constructingsocialhierarchies wherecooperationshould haveflourished.Wewere bornasanationwithwounds notofourownmaking.
Andthen,asifthatwere notenough,evenbeforethe inkdriedonourindependence,aneighbourroseto challengeourveryexistence. Throughpersistentthreats, territorialclaims,andperiodicactsofintimidation thecontroversycastsalong shadowoverinvestment, confidence,anddevelopment fordecades.
Venezuelalaidclaimto morethantwothirdsofour sovereignterritory.Tonight, wecelebratethatsovereign territoryhereinEssequibo, inthebeautifulislandof FortIsland.TheEssequibo, 159,000squarekilometres ofourheartland,hometo ourpeople,richwithour resources,wasdeclaredby Caracastobelongtothem. Fromtheveryfirstbreath ofournationhoodthesword hungoverourland.
ThatwastheGuyanaof 1966.Wecouldhavecollapsed.Manysaidwewould, butwedidnot.Thepathwas notalwaysstraight.There wereyearsofhardship,years whenGuyanese,bythetens ofthousands,packedtheir bagsandleft,somanythat todaymoreGuyaneselive outsideourbordersthan withinthem.Weknowthat loss.Wehonourthosewho left,andtonightonthisdiamondjubileewecallthem home,evenaswepraise thosewhoremainbehindto struggletoadvanceandto progress.
Throughthosedifficult decades,thisnationendured, ourpeopleendured,andthen Guyanaturnedacorner.60 yearsafterindependence.We standbeforetheworldina positionourfounderscould scarcelyhaveimagined.We aretodaythefastestgrowing economyonearth.Letthat settleforamoment.Fastest growingnotinthishemi-
sphere,notintheCaribbean, butontheentireplanet.And wedidthattogetherasOne People,OneNation,One Destiny.WedidthatasOne Guyana.
OurGDP,whichstood at$229millionatIndependence,nowexceeds$75billioninpurchasingpower terms.Ourpercapitaincome, once$344istodayprojected toapproach$38,000percapitaby2028.Inasinglede-
cade,wehaveleaptfromthe marginsintothefrontranks oftheworldeconomies.That isasignificantachievement, andeveryGuyanesehas earnedtherighttobeproud.
TheIMFconfirmsthat Guyanaledtheworldwith averagerealGDPgrowth of47%peryearbetween 2022and2024.Werecorded doubledigitgrowthforsix consecutiveyears.Weare nowbuildingourNatural
ResourcesFund.Wearesettingasidefromdayonefor thechildrenoftomorrow.It growswitheverysingleadditionalrevenuethatcomes backtoourcountry.
Thatiswhy,mydear brothersandsisters,wemust spend,butspendwithan understandingofwhatis requiredinthefuture,spend withanunderstandingof whatisourpriority,spend withanunderstandingthat
wemusttakecareoftomorrowtoday,butwealthon paperisnotanationtransformed.Anationistransformedbywhatitbuildsfor itspeople.
Our2024Budgetexceeded$1trillionGuyanesedollarsforthefirsttimeinour history.Oilproductionfrom theoffshoreStabroekblock nowsurpasses915,000barrelsperday,andweareSouth TURNTOPAGE31A
Sixtyyearsapart,yetbound
Fromtheblack-and-whitememoriesofGuyana’svery firstIndependencecelebrationsin1966tothevibrant colours,creativityandprideondisplaytoday,these photoscapturethejourneyofanation stillwritingitsstory.
boundbyoneunbreakablespirit
IndependenceAnniversaryMessages
PPPmarksGuyana’sDiamondJubileewith callforunity,developmentandvigilance
GUYANA’S60thindependenceanniversaryfinds ourbelovednationatthe thresholdofanationalrenaissance,economically energised,globallyrecognised,andpoisedtobecomeoneofthedefining successstoriesoftheCaribbeanandLatinAmerican regioninthe21stcentury. Atthispromisingjuncture inourhistory,economic transformation,nationalconfidence,andglobal relevanceareconverging. Guyanaisnotsimplyexperiencinggrowth;itisshapinganewnationalidentity.
Forourcountry,infrastructure,digitalsystems andthedeliveryofpublic goodsandservicesarebeing modernisedatapacethatsignalslong-termambition,not short-termprosperity.For ourpeople,thesenseofpossibilityismorepronounced, withfuturegenerationssetto inheritbroaderopportunities, strongerinstitutions,anda higherqualityoflife.
Ourpeople’sviewof Guyanahasevolvedinto morethanjustahome;it isaplacewheremeaningfulcareers,innovation,and nation-buildingcanhappen simultaneously.
Forourfuture,weare calledupontoremember thechallengesofthepre-independenceperiod,those oftheyearsofdemocratic declinefrom1964to1992, andtheMarch2020effort tounderminethewillofthe Guyanesepeople.
OURSTRUGGLE
Colonialismwasnotbenign.Freedomwaswononly becauseordinarypeopledemandedit.Sacrificeand strugglearesynonymous withindependencestruggles theworldover.Colonialism thrivedondivision.Across theworld,colonialpowers maintainedcontrolbydividingpeoplealonglines ofrace,class,andpolitics, ensuringthatthosetheygovernedremainedsuspicious
colonialrule,Guyanahad tostruggle,organise,and sacrifice.Themarchtoward independencegainedstrength withtheriseoftheorganised tradeunionmovementand theformationofthePolitical AffairsCommittee(PAC)in 1946undertheleadershipof DrCheddiJagan.
Theseeffortslaidthe foundationforthecreation ofthePeople’sProgressive Party(PPP),whichbecamea powerfulforceinthefightfor
ofoneanother,ratherthan unitedinacommonpurpose. Guyanawasnoexception. However,despitethosedivisions,thestruggleforindependencewasbuiltona deepertruth–thatthepeople ofGuyanasharedmorein commonthantheforcesthat soughttodividethem.
Theywere,aboveall, childrenofthesamesoil. Independencedidnotcome easily,norwasitgenerouslybestowedbytheBritish Empire.Likeeverynation thatfoughttofreeitselffrom
self-governmentandsocial justice.DrCheddiJaganand theotherleadersofthe1950 movementsoughttotransformthelivesofordinary Guyanesethroughprogressivepoliciesaimedatequalityandnationaldevelopment.
Butthoseambitions alarmedexternalpowers.As Guyanamovedclosertotrue freedom,foreigninterference intensified.Theturbulence andviolenceofthe1960sdid notemergenaturallyfrom theGuyanesepeoplealone. Theywerefuelledbyoutside
forcesdeterminedtoprevent independencefromempoweringthepopulation.Colonialismleftbehindnotonly politicalconflict,butdeep socialwounds.Thescarsof thateraremainvisibleeven today.Raceriots,political unrest,anddecadesofmistrustplantedsuspicionsthat lingeredacrossgenerations, underminingnationalunity andsocialcohesion.
Thedivisionscreated duringcolonialruleharmed thecountrylongafterindependencewasachieved. Nonetheless,Guyana’shistoryalsocarrieslessonsof resilience.Thestrugglefor independence,therefore,was notonlyaboutendingBritish rule.
Itwasaboutreclaimingunity,dignity,andthe Guyanesepeople’srightto shapetheirownfuture.Inthe People’sProgressiveParty, centraltofulfillingthepromiseofGuyanahasbeen,and remains,addressingthebasic needsofGuyaneseacross thecountry,creatingopportunitiesforwealthcreation, strengtheningdemocratic institutions,andensuringthat progressreacheseverycommunityacrossthecountry.
LOSSOFFREEDOM ANDTHELACKOF DEMOCRACY
AlthoughGuyanagained independencein1966with greatpromiseandhopefor prosperity,powerfulforces hadalreadyengineeredundemocraticrulebeginningin 1964,denyingtheGuyanese peoplethefullbenefitsofindependenceandsteeringthe countryintonearlythreedecadesofdemocraticstruggle andeconomicdecline,during whichGuyanabecameoneof thepoorestnationsinLatin AmericaandtheCaribbean. From1964to1992,Guyana endured28yearsofauthoritarianrulemarkedbyrigged electionsin1968,1973,1980 and1985,aswellasthe1978 referendum.
Theperiodwasmarred bypoliticalviolence,repression,andwidespread violationsofhumanrights, withGuyana’sfirstfreeand fairelectionsonlybeingheld in1992.Theyearsleadingup toandduringPeople’sNationalCongress(PNC)rule sawethnicdiscrimination, suppressionofdissent,and TURNTOPAGE22A
PPPmarksGuyana’sDiamondJubileewith callforunity,developmentandvigilance
attacksonoppositionforces.Criticsofthegovernmentfacedintimidation, violence,andextra-judicial actions.Oppositionmeetings wereviolentlydisrupted, andunionsandcivilsociety groupsthatresistedparty controlwereruthlesslyattackedunderthedoctrineof partyparamountcy,which placedthethen-rulingparty abovenationalinstitutions andfreedoms.By1992, Guyanawasindeepcrisis.
Externaldebthadrisen tomorethan900percentof GDP,whiledebtservicing consumed153percentof governmentrevenue.
By1990,87percent ofthepopulationlivedbelowthepovertyline,and the1989McIntyreReport rankedGuyanabelowHaiti asthepoorestcountryinthe WesternHemisphere.
Thereport,ledbyformer CaribbeanCommunitySecretaryGeneralAlisterMcIntyre,foundthateconomic decline,statecontrolofthe
economy,andthesuppressionofprivateenterprisehad triggeredamassexodusof talent.Hunger,malnutrition, homelessness,andwidespreadhardshiphadbecome partofdailylife,withmany citizensspendingmuchof theirtimesimplysearching forfood.Bythelate1980s, thecrisisreachedabreaking pointasunsustainableborrowingpushedforeigndebt toUS$1.7billion,nearlysix timesthecountry’sGDP, whilearrearsclimbedto US$1billion.
Tokeepabankruptcountryafloat,thegovernment hadtoturntotheIMFfor supportin1988.Thetaskof rebuildingfromtheground upin1992wasnoeasytask. However,thesechallengeshaveinspiredthevision beingimplementedforour future–afuturethatthe People’sProgressiveParty, guidedbyitsleaders,has struggledtodelivertoour peoplefrom1992to2015 andfrom2020tothepresent.
REBUILDING
Thisvisionwasgroundedinthebeliefthatdemocracymeansempowering thepeople;ensuringtheir involvementatalllevels inmanagementanddecision-making;andbuilding acountrywhereourpeople areallowedtobuildtheir ownfuture.
Importantly,progress doesnothappenbychance. Transformationisachieved throughcarefulplanning, disciplinedleadership,anda clearcommitmenttowhere wewantourcountrytobe, notonlytoday,butdecades fromnow.Consequently,the People’sProgressiveParty’s visionforGuyanaisnot builtforasinglemoment, asingleelectioncycle,ora temporarygain.
Itisavisionrootedin long-termplanning,nationaldevelopment,andthe futureprosperityofevery Guyanesefamily.ThisisevidencedintheNationalDevelopmentStrategy(NDS),
acomprehensive7-volume documentproducedinthe late1990sandearly2000s; thePovertyReductionStrategyPapers(PRSP)in2001 and2006;theNationalCompetitivenessStrategy(NCS) ofGuyana;theLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy (LCDS),introducedin2009; andtheupdatedLCDS2030 launchedin2022.OurParty hasalwaysbelievedthat governancemustbeguided bythefuturewewantto createforourpeople.
Thatiswhyourplansare designednotmerelytoaddresspresentchallenges,but tolaythefoundationforgenerationstocome.Overthe nextfiveyears,thePPP/C remainscommittedtomovingGuyanaforwardthrough acomprehensiveprogramme focusedonbuildingwealth, transforminglives,andunitingournation.Weareinvestinginpeoplebecausewe understandthatthestrength ofourcountryliesinthe opportunitieswecreatefor everycitizen.
Ineducation,weare committedtoensuringfree educationateverylevel, modernisingourschools, expandingdigitallearning andArtificialIntelligence initiatives,increasinggrants forstudents,andstrengtheningtechnicalandvocational trainingsothatouryoung peopleareequippedforthe industriesofthefuture.
Inhealthcare,weare transformingaccesstoqualitycareacrossGuyanaby operationalising12new state-of-the-arthospitals, expandingtelemedicineservices,andrecruitingand trainingmorehealthcare professionalstoserveour communities.Oureconomic visionisequallyambitious andforward-looking.We areadvancingpoliciesthat willcreatejobs,expandopportunities,andstrengthen nationalprosperity.
Effortsareunderway toestablishaDevelopment Banktosupportsmalland medium-sizedbusinesses, openup100,000acresofarablelandforcultivation,improvefarm-to-marketroads, andcontinuesupporting agriculture,mining,forestry,manufacturing,andthe
servicessector.
Atthesametime,the PPP/Cisworkingtobuild theinfrastructurenecessary foramodernandcompetitiveGuyana.Throughtransformativeprojectssuchas theGas-to-Energyinitiative, weareworkingtodeliveraffordableelectricity,improve transportationandconnectivity,andupgradecommunitieswithbetterdrainage, sanitation,streetlighting, recreationalfacilities,and enhancedsecuritysystems. ThePPP/Calsorecognises thatdevelopmentmustbe accompaniedbysafety,accountability,andstronggovernance.Thatiswhyweare strengtheningborderprotection,expandingcommunity policing,introducingmodern surveillancetechnology,and ensuringgreateraccountability.AsGuyanaadvances,we arealsobuildinganinclusive digitalsociety.
Throughtheintroduction ofanationale-IDsystem, expandeddigitalgovernmentservices,technology trainingprogrammes,and investmentsininnovation andtechnologyhubs,we arepreparingourpeople tocompeteandsucceedin arapidlychangingworld. Mostimportantly,ourdevelopmentagendaiscentred onimprovingthelivesof ordinaryGuyanese.
ThePPP/Cisexpandingopportunitiesforyouth, women,personswithdisabilities,seniorcitizens,and Amerindiancommunities throughinvestmentsineducation,entrepreneurship, housing,healthcare,ICT access,landtitling,andeconomicempowerment.
Theseareonlysome elementsofourtransformationaldevelopmentagenda. Weareplanningnotonly forthepresent,butforthe Guyanaourchildrenand grandchildrenwillinherit. Wearebuildingastronger economy,amoreunited society,andamodernnation whereeveryGuyanesehas theopportunitytosucceed.
LOOKINGAHEAD
Aswehonour60yearsof Independence,wepaytributetoallthosewhofought tirelesslyforself-gover-
FROM PAGE 18A
nance,democracy,andnationaldevelopment.Their sacrificeslaidthefoundation fortheprogressweenjoy today,andtheirlegacymust continuetoinspirepatriotism,unity,andserviceto thecountry.
Thevisionbornofour historydemandsourcollectivewillandunwaveringcommitmenttothetask ofnation-building.More profoundly,itservesasa warningagainstpopulist idealsthatdistractandderailusfromtheworkat hand,whileremindingus toremainvigilantagainst thosewhoseektodivideour people,distortthetruth,and misleadGuyaneseinpursuit ofnarrowself-interestand personalgain.We,asapeople,mustremainfocusedand steadfastaswemoveintothe nextphaseofadvancement andcollectiveprosperity –aphasethatdemandswe alsoheedthelessonsofour history.Lookingahead,we areremindedofthepoignant wordsofDrCheddiJagan, onMay26,1993,whosaid: “Freedomisindivisible; andunityandsolidarityare essentialforsuccess.There canbenoadvancewithout struggle,andtherecanbe nostrugglewithoutcommitmentandsacrifice.”
ThePPPremainssteadfastinitscommitmentto buildingamodern,prosperous,andinclusiveGuyana whereeverycitizen,regardlessofbackground,hasthe opportunitytosucceedand enjoyabetterqualityoflife. Wefirmlybelievethatthe wealthofournationmust benefitallourpeopleand futuregenerations.
Atthesametime,we remainresoluteindefending Guyana’sterritorialintegrity andsovereignty.Onthis importantnationaloccasion, weonceagainreaffirmthat everysquareinchofGuyanabelongstothepeopleof Guyana.Ontheoccasionof 60yearsofIndependence, thePeople’sProgressivePartyextendswarmgreetings andbestwishestoallGuyaneseathomeandthroughout thediaspora.
ThisDiamondJubilee isaproudmilestoneinour nation’shistoryandamomentforreflectiononthe struggles,sacrifices,and achievementsthathave shapedtheGuyanawe knowtoday.Happy60th IndependenceAnniversary, Guyana.
PAN&SOCAsettobringGuyana carnival2026toabreathtakingclose
GUYANACarnival2026is goingoutwithabang.The KunjazGroup,inassociationwithRepublicBank, proudlyannouncesPan& Soca,theelectrifyingconcertexperiencethatwill serveasthegrandfinaleof thisyear’sCarnivalseason. TakingplaceonWednesday,May27,2026,atthe stunningKingstonBeach Front,gatesopenat4PM forwhatpromisestobe anunforgettableevening underthestars.
Pan&SocaisacelebrationofCaribbeanmusical heritageatitsfinest.Asthe sunsetsovertheGeorgetown waterfront,thesoundofsteel willfilltheairinafitting tributetotheculture,energy, andspiritthathasdefined GuyanaCarnival2026.
Thetimingofthisevent couldnotbemorepoignant. OnMay26,2026,Guyana proudlymarksits60thIndependenceAnniversary,a DiamondJubileethatcalls forreflection,pride,and jubilationinequalmeasure.
Andwhatbetterwayto carrythatnationalenergy forwardthanwithanightof panandsocaonMay27th? AstheGoldenArrowhead continuestoflyhighinits diamondyear,Pan&Soca stepsinastheperfectculturalsequeltothenation’s birthday,honouringGuyana’s identity,itspeople,andthe musicthathasalwaysbeen theheartbeatoftheCaribbe-
an.ThisisIndependencejoy, extended.
Leadingthechargeis noneotherthantheincomparableNadiaBatson,Soca Queen,powerhouseperformer,andoneoftheCaribbean’s mostbelovedartistes.Known forhercommandingstage presenceandhit-after-hitcatalogue,Batson’sappearance
atPan&Socapromisestobe ashowstoppingperformance thatwillleaveaudienceson theirfeetfromstarttofinish.
JoiningNadiaBatson onthenightisalineupthat showcasestheverybestof Guyana’smusicaltalent,such asNekeita,CarlvinBurnett,
SamuelMedas,OmaiahHall, VinelHinds,OKC,justto nameafew.
Fillingoutthesteelpan lineuparereigningpanorama champs,KunjazSteelOrchestra,GuyanaPoliceForce SteelBand,ParksideSteel Orchestra,BuxtonPrideSteel
BandandJoshuaRegrello fromTrinidadandTobago.
Patronscanchoosefrom twotickettiers:GeneralAdmission:$3,000Elevated VIP:$10,000.Secureyours fromHJBoxOffice.
Pan&Socaisproudly broughttoyoubyTheKun-
jazGroup,presentedbyRepublicBank,andsupported bytheMinistryofCulture, YouthandSport,Ministryof Tourism,Industry&CommerceandGuyanaCarnival 2026family.
(HitsandJamEntertainmentPressRelease)
Droneshow slated fortoday
THOUSANDSofGuyaneseareexpectedtogatheratthe NationalStadiumthiseveningforaspectaculardrone showcelebratingGuyana’s60thIndependenceAnniversary,asthecountryushersinitsDiamondJubileecelebrationsingrandstyle.
Thehighlyanticipatedeventwillfeaturehundredsof illuminateddroneslightingupthenightskyinsynchronised formations,showcasingpatrioticsymbols,nationaliconsand tributestoGuyana’sjourneysinceachievingindependence in1966.
TheshowformspartofawiderprogrammeofIndependenceactivitiesandisexpectedtoblendtechnology,culture andstorytellinginavisualdisplaydesignedtocaptivate audiencesofallages.
Organiserssaytheeventpromisestobeoneofthe highlightsofthisyear’scelebrations,reflectingGuyana’s transformationandgrowingembraceofinnovationas thenationmarkssixdecadesofsovereigntyandprogress.
PresidentDr.IrfaanAli’saddressattheFlagRaising CeremonyforGuyana’s60thIndependenceCelebration
America’sthirdlargestoil producer.Wehaveinvested massivelyineducation,in healthcare,inhousing.From 2020to2025weconstructed orrehabilitatedover10,000 roadsand430bridges,bringingthepowerofconnection tocommunitiesthatindependencehadleftbehind.
Today,howmanywould haveimaginedthatwewould havebeencelebratingour diamondjubileehereinFort Island,crossingtherivers andestablishingthefundamentaltruththatEssequibo belongscompletelytoGuyana.
AlandmarkUS$100millionSTEMinitiativeinpartnershipwithExxonMobil isbuildingtheknowledge economyoftomorrow,beginningattheUniversity ofGuyana,andtomorrow morningwewillformallysetourfootprintsinthe historyofhealthcarewhen fromGuyanawithournew surgeon,MantraFreedom60 willperformacardiacsurgeryfromGuyanatoIndia.
Thelongestdistance surgeryinthehistoryof mankindwillbeperformed fromtheshoresofGuyana tomorrow.
Thisisthecountrywe arebuilding,notafraidto embraceanytoolthatisnecessarytopositionusasnot onlyaplayerintheglobal economybutacompetitive playerlookingtotakeits placeinthefrontrowof globalstability,resilience, andprosperity,butaswe havesaidbefore,thatgrowth mustbeonthefoundationof humility,andthatgrowthand thatdevelopmentmustnot onlyleadtotheprosperity ofthepeopleofGuyana,it mustleadtotheprosperity ofthepeopleofthisregionof ourCARICOMregion,and thatiswhytonightIsalute allthoseleaderswhohave joinedusinthiscelebration.
Ontheworldstage,this smallnationhasservedthree timesasanelectedmember oftheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil,andacross thosetermswehaveheldthe presidencyofthecouncilon sixseparateoccasions.That recorddemonstratesourcapacity,ourcourage,andour skill,andprovesthatGuyana belongsinthecouncilsofthe world.
UnderthethemePartnershipforPeaceandProsperity,weraisedourvoicefor theGlobalSouth,forAfrica, forsmallislandstates,for thevoicelessandoverlooked. Wearenolongerforgotten.
Weareaforce,andweare heretostay,butImustspeak ahardtruthonthisjoyous night.
60yearsofsovereignty, andstill,stillourterritorial integrityisunderassault. Venezuelahasnotrelented, ithasnotrestraineditself,it hasnotrespectedthebinding ordersoftheworld’shighest court.Andnow,astheICJ deliberatesitsjudgement, Venezuela’sactingpresident, hasdeclaredbeforethecourt itselfthatVenezuelawillnot acceptarulinginGuyana’s favour.
Thisisnotthelanguage ofaneighbour,thisisnot thelanguageofinternational law,thisisnotthelanguage ofpeace.Thatiswhytonight mylanguagecannotbeambiguous.TheEssequibois Guyana’s.Ithasneverbeen Venezuelan,norwasitever Spanish,andformorethan acenturyandaquartersince the1899ArbitralAwardsettleditsboundary,Guyanahas indisputablyincludedEssequibo.Itisandwillremain Guyanese.
TheICJhasaffirmedthis jurisdictiontohearanddeterminethismatter.Thememorandahavebeensubmitted.Theoralhearingshave concluded.Thecourtnow deliberates.Weareconfident inourcase;weareconfident ininternationallaw.
Westandfirmonthevalidityofthe1899Award,and wesaytotheworldgathered heretonightandwatching fromafarthatindefenceof ourcountryweareunitedin determination,andwesingin clearvoiceandstouthearts thewordsofourSongof theRepublic,sothatallmay hearthecryofoursoil.
FromPakaraima’speaksof pow’r
ToCorentyne’slushsands, Herchildrenpledgeeach faithfulhour
ToguardGuyana’slands. Tofoiltheshockofrude invader
Who’dviolateherearth, Tocherishanddefendforever
TheStatethatgavethem birth.
Wearegratefulforthe supportoftheUnitedStates, ofCARICOM,oftheCommonwealth,theOAS,andall ourpartnernationsacrossthe world,whohavestoodwith Guyanaandaffirmedthat thisthreattooursovereignty isunacceptable.
Tonight,onthis60th anniversaryofourindependence,wesaytoallthe
peopleofthosenationsand theirgovernmentswithimmensegratitudeinourhearts, thankyouforstandingwith us.Thankyouforstanding forfairness.Thankyoufor standingforjusticeandfor peace.
Butletmealsosaythis, andIsayitwithfullsincerity:Guyanaholdsnomalice towardthepeopleofVenezuela.None.TheVenezuelan peopleareourneighbours, theyareourkinsmenacross asharedgeography,ashared history,asharedCaribbean andSouthAmericanheritage.
Weknowthattheordinarymenandwomenof Venezuelahavenotchosen thisdispute.Weknowthat manyamongthemyearn,as allpeopleyearn,simplyfor peace,fordignity,forabetter lifefortheirchildren.Tothe peopleofVenezuelaonthis nightofour60thanniversary asaneighbouringsovereign state,weextendthehandof friendship.
Wewillalwaysdefend oursovereignty.Wewill alwaysdefendourterritorial integrity,butwewilldoso throughpeacefulmeans, throughthecourts,through diplomacy,throughtheprinciplesoftheUnitedNations Charter,andtheruleofinternationallaw,notthrough belligerence,notthrough aggression,neverthrough war,andwhenthismatter isresolved,asitwillbe resolved,Guyanaoffersto workwithVenezuela,aswith allfriendlynations,tobuild ahemispherethatissafer, moreprosperousandmore justforeverysoulwithinit. Thisisnotweakness;thisis ameasureofourcharacteras anopenandfriendlypeople committedtolivinginpeace andtopromotingprosperity.
AndnowIspeakdirectly tomybrothersandsisters, thepeopleofGuyana,toeveryGuyanesealivetonight, whereveryouareonGod’s earth,tothosegatheredat thisgreatceremony,tothose watchinginyourcommunities,yourvillages,your homesacrossall10regions ofournation,tothoseof ourdiasporainNewYork andFlorida,inLondonand Toronto,inSurinameand theCaribbean,whocarry Guyanaintheirheartsacross everyocean.Toyou,Isay60 yearsisagreatachievement, butitisjustthebeginning. Sixtyyearsisafoundation. Wehaveachoicebefore us,eithertocarrythepain ofourhistorylikeanopen
woundrelivedeachdayin bitternessanddivision,orto healit.
SixtyyearsofIndependencecallsustowardsa highercovenanttobuild anationanchoredinlove, ennobledbyhonestlabour, strengthenedbyunity,and guidedbyenduringfaith, throughsharedambition, sharedfamilies,compassionatecommunities,and adeepandabidingpride incountry,wecanshapea Guyanawheredemocracy andequityarenotdistantaspirationsbutlivingprinciples embracingcollectivetrustby allinthatnobleundertaking, everyGuyanese,regardless oforiginorcircumstance, becomesabearerofthenation’sspirit,eachcitizena reflectionoftheenduring soulofGuyanaitself.Look atwhatwehavebuilt,lookat whatwehaveendured,look athowfarwehavecome fromthatfragile,fractured, dependentnationthatraised itsflagatmidnightonMay 25th,1966.
Theroadswearebuildingconnectnotjustcommunitiesbutdestinies.The schoolsweareopeningdo notmerelyteachchildrento readandwrite,theyteach childrentodream.Thehospitalswearebuildingdo notmerelyhealbodies;they affirmthateveryGuyanese lifehasworth.Thatiswhatit meanstogovernforall.This iswhatOneGuyanameans inpractice.
Ourjourneyshowsour promise.Itoffersapathway toabrighterfutureandwe areallwellonourway.The workaheadbelongstoeveryoneofus.Totheyoung Guyanesewhostandonthis transformativeperiod,Isay youarenotresponsiblefor thedivisionsofthepast,but youholdresponsibilityfor theunityofthefuture.
Donotinheritoldprejudices,donotrepeatoldarguments,donotallowthepast todefinethelimitsofyour imagination.Youarethe generationthatwillfinally, fullyandirreversiblymake Guyanawhole.
AfricanandIndian,IndigenousandPortuguese, ChineseandMixed,ChristianandHinduandMuslims, fromthecoastlandandthe hinterland,fromGeorgetown toLethem,fromLindento NewAmsterdam,fromRegionOnetoRegion10,we are,allofus,OneGuyana. OneGuyanainourdiversity, OneGuyanainourdestiny. OneGuyanadoesnot
meanweareallthesame, itmeansweareallequal,it meanseverychildinevery regionhasthesamerights. Everychildandeveryregionhavethesamerightfor development,foradvancement,forprosperity,forthe well-beingofallourpeople.
Theworldhastoooften beentoldthatdiversityisa weakness,thatdifference mustleadtodivision.The multi-ethnicsocietiesare destinedforpermanentfracture.Guyanarejectsthat falsepremise.Weareprovingbeforetheeyesofthe worldthatapeopledrawn frommanyhistoriescanstill buildonedestiny.
Theoilbeneathourwatersisnotthepropertyofa government,itistheproperty ofourpeople.Itbelongsto everyGuyanesewhocame beforeusandtoeveryGuyaneseyettobeborn.Itis ours,allofours,andwewill guardittogether.Wehold itintrust,wespenditwith purpose,wesaveitwithdiscipline.Wemustbuildanationaldevelopmentplatform rootedinunity,democracy, theruleoflaw,andrespect foreachother.
Wehave60yearsof sharedexperiencetoguide us,60yearsofstruggle,60 yearsofachievements,60 yearsoflessons,butprogress mustbeprotected.Prosperity mustbesustained.Unity mustbestrengthenedby institutionsthatarestable, practical,fair,andfitfor therealitiesofourcountry. Thatiswhyconstitutional reformmustbeapproached withcare,notasacontestfor advantage,notasaweapon ofdivision,butasasolemn nationalresponsibilitywitha long-terminterestofGuyana andfuturegenerationsatits centre.
Atthisstageofournationaljourney,nooneshould seektodivideGuyanainpursuitofpower.Government andopposition,privatesectorandlabour,civilsociety andcitizens,coastlineand hinterland,nooneshould seektodivide.Instead,we mustcometogether.Wemust cometogetherandworkin harmony.Wemustwork hard,relentlessly,sothatwe canbuildandpassonaGuyanathatisstrong,stable,and prosperous. Wemustrejectthepoisonofzero-sumpolitics, thedestructivebeliefthat onegroupcanriseonlyif anotherfalls.Thatbelief helpedtodivideournationalistmovement.Itweakened
thespiritofunitythatmade independencepossible.And 60yearslater,wemustheal thosewounds.
Butalessonofourhistoryisclear,withoutharmony, therecanbenotrueunity. Withoutunity,independence isnevercomplete,andwithoutaunitedpeople,progress canneverbesecure.The independencecovenantwas signedinhope,anditmust befulfilledinunity.
Thetaskbeforeusis clear;wemustbuildanation inwhichallourpeoplecan livealifeoffulfillment,life ofhonour,andlifeofdignity. Thereisnoceilingonwhat thisnationcanbecome.No threatwilldefineourfuture. Thereisnoboundary,none, ontheambition,thecreativity,theenterprise,andthe dignityofGuyanesepeople.
Soletusmarchforward. Marchnotwitharrogance, butwithconfidence.March notwithdivision,butwith unity.Marchnotwiththe burdensofthepast,butwith thepromiseofthefuture. TheGoldenArrowheadwas raised60yearsagoinjoy andexpectation. Tonight,weraiseitagain ingloryanddetermination.It risesforeveryGuyanesewho keptfaithwithhiscountry, througheverytrialofour history.
Itrisesforeveryfarmer andfisherman,everyteacher andnurse,everyminerand entrepreneur,everymother andfatherwhosacrificedso theirchildrenmightstand taller.Itrisesforthosewho leftandforthosewhostayed. Itrisesforthosewhowill neverleavebecausetheylie inGuyaneseearthandtheir spiritisinthesoilandtheir loveisinourhearts.
Sixtyyears,OnePeople, OneNation,OneDestiny, OneGuyana,nowandforever.LonglivetheCooperativeRepublicofGuyana. Longlivethegreatpeopleof Guyana.Godblessourbelovedcountry.Godblessour nationandmayGodcontinue toguideourprogressand prosperity.
Happy60thanniversary. HappyIndependencetoone andall,andGodblessallof youhereallacrossGuyana andallacrossourdiaspora. Thankyouverymuch. Godblessourfriends, ourallies,ourneighbours, andallthosewhostand withustogetherinpeace, love,andunity.
Godblessyouall,Thank you.”