59th Independence Anniversary: Caricom SG highlights Guyana’s significant development progress

…reaffirms support towards protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity

As the Co-operative Republic of Guyana celebrates 59 years of independence on Monday, the Secretary-General (SG) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett, has commended the nation’s “significant developmental progress”, achieved alongside its continued protection of vast natural ecosystems.
In a written message to Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali the Secretary General extended her best wishes to the Guyanese community as they celebrated the historical occasion. Moreover, Dr Barnett also highlighted the significant progress the country has made in developing itself as a new and emerging leader in several critical areas.
“I congratulate the Government and People of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on your Fifty-Ninth Anniversary of Independence. As one of the world’s fastest growing economies, fueled by the petroleum sector, Guyana has made significant developmental progress. Notably, this has been achieved even while ensuring the protection 0f the country’s extensive natural eco-systems.”
She added, “Your Excellency, as Guyana continues to pursue its developmental agenda, I extend my warmest regards and best wishes to the Government and People of this bountiful nation for its sustained prosperity and enhanced well-being.”
The SG also spoke about Guyana’s prominence in international and regional diplomacy. Guyana’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been backed by a strong commitment to upholding international law and ensuring that the voice of the Caribbean contributes to shaping the discourse on global security.

As such the SG anticipates that Guyana will continue its outstanding work in the multilateral sphere, including through its upcoming presidency of the Security Council, to advance the regional agenda on priority issues such as climate change and the multifaceted crisis in Haiti.
Moreover, Dr Barnett noted that within CARICOM, Guyana plays a central role in advancing regional integration, not only as the Community’s headquarter country, but especially in the discharge of its responsibility for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification, and Food Security in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet where its leadership of CARICOM’s efforts to reduce the Region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2030 has led to significant progress in the sector.
Additionally, the CARICROM SG also stressed that the role being played by Guyana in developing digital education and training, regional transportation and, by you personally, in chairing the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket, will undoubtedly redound to the benefit of the people of the Region.
Meanwhile, as tensions continue to grow between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region, SG Barnett also reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment towards ensuring Guyana’s territorial sovereignty is protected.
“The border controversy with Venezuela remains of perennial concern. You may be assured that CARICOM is steadfast in its support for Guyana’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.’
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was signed by Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago and came into effect on August 1, 1973. Subsequently the other eight Caribbean territories joint CARICOM.