By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday underscored Guyana’s rapid economic transformation and its leadership role in global climate solutions as he addressed the 9th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Saudi Arabia.
Here’s more from Tiana Cole.
Speaking under the theme “The Key to Prosperity – Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth,” President Ali told world leaders, investors, and policymakers that Guyana remains one of the few nations with its biodiversity largely intact, maintaining one of the highest biodiversity densities and lowest deforestation rates globally.
He noted that Guyana’s forests store approximately 19.5 gigatons of carbon, positioning the country as a vital player in the fight against climate change.
“We have a standing forest that covers 89% of the country, yet many people don’t know that this is the country keeping the world alive,”
President Ali stated, emphasizing the global importance of Guyana’s environmental stewardship.
The President further highlighted that while climate change and deforestation continue to threaten the planet, Guyana is delivering practical, scalable solutions — though its efforts often go unrecognized internationally.
He also pointed to Guyana’s unprecedented economic rise, stating:
“If I flip the coin and ask you which is the fastest-growing economy in the world, and which country has the largest oil reserves discovered, then suddenly all the investors say it is Guyana.”
President Ali told the global audience that the discovery of oil has accelerated Guyana’s transformation, enabling the Government to invest strategically in sustainable development — including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“To compete in a global system, regardless of how big or small you are, you have to have the right infrastructure, education system, and health facilities that allow you to compete in energy and other sectors,” he explained.
The Head of State added that Guyana is “leapfrogging into the 2030 and beyond world,” driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and advanced technology, while simultaneously strengthening traditional sectors to become the “food capital of the world.”
“To do all that, we have to bring in people, investment, and technology. We don’t have the time or human resource assets to start from scratch, so we’re adopting proven models and advancing them for our own development,” the President said.
President Ali’s address drew global attention to Guyana’s unique position — a nation balancing climate preservation with record-breaking economic growth, symbolizing the promise of sustainable prosperity for developing economies.
