Guyana, France deepen ties with establishment of French Embassy in G/town

Bilateral relations between Guyana and France have been strengthened with the opening of the French Embassy in Georgetown.
The official opening of the Embassy was commemorated with an inauguration ceremony on Lama Avenue on Friday evening. The new Embassy, which takes over from the French diplomatic office that opened in Georgetown in September 2023, makes France the first European Union country to have such a level of diplomatic representation in the country.

President Dr Irfaan Ali joined French officials for the commissioning, which he says is a proud moment that reflects the deepening partnership between Guyana and France.
“This decision [to establish an Embassy in Guyana] underscores the primary objectives of our countries, which are to strengthen our diplomatic partnership and create opportunities for closer connections between our economies and people… With the opening of the Embassy here in Guyana, we envision a deepening of mutual understanding and closer people-to-people ties through education and cultural exchange. The French language and cultural influence have long been present in our region, and we look forward to expanding academic and cultural exchanges between our two countries,” he stated.

According to the Head of State, the occasion reminds us of the rich history and culture that the two countries have shared, despite being geographically distant. He said Guyana and France are united by the fundamental principle of respect for democracy, human rights, and each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It is upon these shared values and mutual respect, President Ali noted, that Guyana and France have been able to move to transform their partnership into practical cooperation through new and structured engagements, building on the foundation for enhanced diplomatic presence and shared priorities.
He added that they have also taken a fourth step in formalising this cooperation through the Guyana-France joint working group.
“The joint working group serves as a platform for the coordination of our collaborative endeavours and for consistent progress in priority areas such as defence, infrastructure, technology, agriculture and tourism; the areas of cooperation between Guyana and France will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building and joint initiatives that can drive meaningful progress for both our nations.”
“Today, Guyana and France are actively engaged in matters of defence and security cooperation at both the bilateral and regional levels. This strategic partnership was developed in response to extant security challenges. Through the Guyanese Shield Strategic Dialogue, we’ve established an invaluable platform for addressing shared security concerns, including transnational threats that challenge our sovereignty and regional stability. We recognise the value of collaborating to develop joint strategies, enhance maritime surveillance capabilities and share intelligence to address emergent security threats.”
According to President Ali, this partnership presents an excellent opportunity to fortify regional security frameworks by leveraging Guyana’s strategic location in South America and France’s extensive international experience.
Turning his attention to climate change, the Guyanese leader noted that the Paris Agreement serves as a cornerstone for building climate-resilient nations through mitigation and adaptation strategies. He said Guyana’s vast rainforest, combined with France’s leadership in combating climate change, creates a powerful alliance.
Moreover, the Head of State pointed out that the establishment of the French Embassy in Georgetown will create a link between Guyana and a wider Europe and lay the groundwork for broader cooperation, setting the stage for even greater collaboration in the years ahead.
For the opening of the Embassy, French Senator Cédric Perrin, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, led a delegation to Georgetown.

Previous discussions
On Friday prior to the opening of the Embassy, Senator Perrin and French Ambassador to Guyana Olivier Plançon were at the State House for discussions with Government officials aimed at advancing Guyana–France relations.
According to a statement from the President’s office, the meeting underscored the significance of the newly established French Embassy in Georgetown.
President Ali noted during the meeting that bilateral ties between the two countries have grown over the past five years, and he pointed to new areas of cooperation in tourism, trade, agriculture, defence, security, and energy. He added that the Embassy’s presence would serve as a platform to deepen strategic collaboration.
Senator Perrin was joined by Senators André Guiol and Olivier Cigolotti, Jeanne Mengotti from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colonel Emmanuel Rigault, and other French officials. The delegation expressed appreciation for Guyana’s commitment to environmental protection and the hospitality shown during their visit.
Several Government Ministers attended the meeting, including Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, and Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the delegation met with Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, and senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at Defence Headquarters. In a statement, the GDF said Brigadier Khan outlined key national and regional security concerns, including migration, drug trafficking, and other transnational challenges affecting the Guiana Shield. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with France to address these issues, noting the long-standing security collaboration between the two countries.
Senator Perrin also reaffirmed France’s respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and reiterated support for the peaceful resolution of the border controversy with Venezuela before the International Court of Justice. Senator Cigolotti also highlighted the importance of closer collaboration, given the geographic proximity and shared strategic interests of Guyana and French Guiana.
The visit comes as Guyana and France continue to expand diplomatic, security, and economic partnerships, with the Embassy in Georgetown expected to play a key role in supporting these efforts.