Tag: region

President Ali to engage religious leaders in national development drive

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced that his government will roll out new initiatives in the coming weeks to engage religious leaders and communities as partners in national development.

The Head of State made the disclosure on Monday evening while joining devotees for Navaratri observances at the Radha Krishna Mandir in Georgetown. He said the effort aims to channel the influence and talent within religious leadership toward strengthening families, communities, and the country as a whole.

“These initiatives will harness the potential of our religious leaders for the development of our people, development of our communities, and the development of our country,” President Ali stated.

The move comes as Guyana navigates rapid economic and social transformation, with government officials acknowledging that faith-based organisations remain central to community life. Analysts say the approach reflects a wider global trend of governments recognising religious leaders as stakeholders in social policy, conflict resolution, and youth engagement.

During his address, President Ali praised the Mandir’s leadership for promoting values that reinforce cultural continuity and social cohesion. He underscored the role of spirituality in confronting global uncertainty, noting that faith traditions provide grounding in humanity, service, and unity.

“It is that spirituality that allows us to understand in a very troubling world how important humanity, service to humanity, and service to society is,” he told worshippers.

The President also appealed for greater positivity in daily interactions, warning that negative energy can erode national progress. He commended the active involvement of young people in the Mandir, pointing to the importance of continuity and leadership for future generations.

“No country can have a strong foundation if the pillar of spirituality is not strong enough to withstand the wind of uneasiness,” Ali added.

Observers note that Guyana’s diverse religious landscape—spanning Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Indigenous traditions—makes engagement with faith leaders a potential unifying force as the nation balances rapid growth with social stability.

President Ali closed his remarks by extending blessings for Navaratri, wishing families strength, health, and prosperity during the festive season.

Guyana, Colombia sign aerial surveillance pact to boost regional security

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Colombia’s Ministry of National Defense have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in aerial surveillance, intelligence sharing and regional security.

The agreement, announced this week, is aimed at combating illicit activities, improving situational awareness and enhancing both countries’ ability to safeguard their airspaces.

Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, said the partnership marks a significant step in Guyana’s national defence strategy. “This collaboration deepens our ability to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and supports broader regional stability,” Khan said.

General Luis Carlos Córdoba Avendaño, Commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force, welcomed the accord and stressed the importance of information sharing, joint training and coordinated responses. Regional collaboration, he said, is vital to addressing shared security challenges.

The signing ceremony was attended by a high-level GDF delegation including Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, Colonel Lorraine Foster, Colonel Lloyd Souvenir, Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Stanford and Commander Roger Nurse. On the Colombian side, General Córdoba Avendaño was accompanied by senior military officials responsible for international cooperation. The ambassadors of both countries were also present.

Under the MoU, Guyana and Colombia will undertake technical exchanges, joint training programmes and the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies. The initiative aligns with the GDF’s modernisation agenda and its commitment to regional security.

The accord represents a milestone in Guyana’s defence diplomacy and lays the groundwork for deeper strategic cooperation with Colombia as both countries confront increasingly complex security challenges.