Guyana set to host key meeting of Caribbean National Olympic Committees

The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) is preparing for its XII Annual Workshop and XXIII Annual General Assembly, which will be held in Georgetown, Guyana, this October.

A virtual meeting held on Saturday, 10 May 2025, between CANOC leadership and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) confirmed that planning is well on track for the significant regional gathering.

Discussions during the Zoom call focused on the state of readiness for the events and saw the finalisation of a detailed programme.

The schedule for the CANOC activities in Georgetown is as follows:

• Tuesday, 14 October: Arrival of the CANOC Secretariat
• Wednesday, 15 October: Arrival of the CANOC Executive Committee
• Thursday, 16 October: Arrival of CANOC Delegates & Invited Guests, Executive Meeting / Meeting of CANOC Commissions, Welcome Reception
• Friday, 17 October: Guyana Cultural Day Activities
• Saturday, 18 October: XII Annual CANOC Workshop
• Sunday, 19 October: XXIII Annual CANOC General Assembly, CANOC Luncheon
• Monday, 20 October: Departures

The meeting on Saturday also saw the agreement of a comprehensive planning template, outlining all necessary logistics and establishing clear deadlines to ensure a smooth execution of the events.

Guyana’s hosting of these key CANOC meetings was significantly boosted in January when the country’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, met with CANOC representatives.

President Ali offered overwhelming support for the GOA’s undertaking and encouraged the inclusion of an immersive experience for delegates to witness the notable transformation currently underway in the country.

This direct encouragement from the Head of State is the driving force behind the inclusion of the dedicated Guyana Cultural Day Activities within the programme.

Following Saturday’s productive discussions, the leadership of CANOC expressed satisfaction with the progress made.

They highlighted that this year’s programme is poised to elevate the organisation’s global standing further, reinforce international partnerships and collaborations, and build stronger bridges of solidarity among its member nations.

Guyana’s well-documented commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals was also noted as a crucial element that will bolster CANOC’s own efforts to leverage sport as a vital tool for fostering a more unified and improved Caribbean region, setting a powerful example for the international community.

CANOC has called upon all its members and stakeholders to fully support the Guyana Olympic Association as they finalise preparations to host the CANOC Family in October.