China, Russia and the U.S.A are the top three most powerful nations in the world. If they sneeze, the rest of the world catches a cold. While Guyana is not part of this club, it still manages to set itself apart as a reputable leader for the planet. According to former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, Guyana does this with its impressive management of the oil sector at an industry leading pace while ensuring environmental protection.
Duque, who was one of the invitees for an engagement held by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali at the TWA Airport Hotel in New York yesterday, was in high praise of the country’s approach to management.
At the event, which was attended by members of the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora, Duque reflected on the key advancements Guyana has made since becoming an oil producing nation.
A notable accomplishment, he said, is the country’s return to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in January 2024. This is indeed the third time Guyana is serving on the Council. The previous terms were 1975 – 1976 and 1982-1983.
“So Guyana is back with the right and genuine leadership as President Ali is the embodiment of a young Caribbean leader who trusts in democracy, believes in the importance of integration and also embraces the right balance between energy development, environmental development and social transformation,” said Duque.
He also noted that Guyana’s presence on the UNSC is a very valuable asset for the United Nations. He said Guyana’s voice will be powerful in its prescriptions on certain matters as it is the voice of the Caribbean, the Amazon and those democracies “that are not gonna let any sort of dictatorship threaten their liberties.”
He recalled that during his time in office, he fought side by side with local authorities to make the case that oil development is possible while being an environmental superpower. Duque said Guyana is doing an outstanding job walking this tight rope. “That is the kind of leadership that is needed for our planet,” said the lawyer.
Duque also gave due recognition of the fact that Guyana has kept a Low Carbon Development Strategy as a cornerstone of its economic blueprint. By embracing such ideals, he said Guyana is on the brink of becoming one of the most successful examples of social and economic transformation in this hemisphere. With its vast oil resources, he said Guyana has a real opportunity to defeat poverty and advance its energy transition goals.
“As a friend of Guyana, I am here to tell you that you have to be absolutely happy at being present in this transformation period… we are all side by side with Guyana,” he said.
He told stakeholders to watch Guyana’s development story closely. In the next five to 10 years, he predicts it will see the fastest expansion of the middle class that has never been experienced by any nation in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
“Incredible growth is ahead… let us stand with Guyana and defend her at all cost,” he concluded.
