As the Government of Guyana continues to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the United States of America, the First Strategic Dialogue between the two countries commenced on Tuesday.
This dialogue, agreed upon by Presidents Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Joe Biden, was convened to address strategic issues, policies, and opportunities for collaboration. The bilateral meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Georgetown, Guyana.
During the opening ceremony, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud emphasised the ongoing growth of the partnership between the two nations. “This dialogue aims to build on the existing friendship and partnership under the bilateral, regional, and international cooperation frameworks,” he stated.
The discussions focused on global thematic areas such as energy security, food security, climate change, the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC) 2030, and security and defence cooperation. “I am confident that our deliberations can pave the way for innovative solutions and strengthened ties between our governments,” Persaud affirmed.
Daniel Erikson, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States National Security Council (USNSC), praised Guyana’s global efforts in supporting Caribbean development. “Your leadership in the Caribbean Community is well recognized, and your current role in the United Nations Security Council is a testament to Guyana’s growing stature and influence,” he remarked.
Erikson also expressed the US government’s support for Guyana’s inclusive and sustainable policy directives. “We know your government is working to ensure an equitable and thoughtful path towards inclusive and sustainable development in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereign wealth through Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund. The U.S. stands ready to support you in that effort,” he said.
He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “I want to reiterate, directly from President Biden, that the United States fully supports Guyana’s territorial integrity,” Erikson noted.
The dialogue also featured Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, Special Advisor to the US Vice President for the Western Hemisphere Scott Winton, along with other senior officials from the US White House, State Department, National Security Council, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and Department of Commerce.
Guyana’s delegation included Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, Ambassador of Guyana to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) Samuel Hinds, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier Omar Khan, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) James Singh, representatives from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Office of the President (OP), Ministries of Natural Resources, Finance, and Commerce, and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), among other senior government officials.
