Urgent need for deeper collaboration on trade, food security and democracy – President Ali says in CARICOM Day message

See below full message on the occasion of CARICOM Day from President Dr Irfaan Ali:

On this CARICOM Day, I extend heartfelt greetings and warmest wishes to all Guyanese and our brothers and sisters across the vibrant Caribbean Community.

This is a day to celebrate not only our shared history and rich cultural heritage but also the unbreakable bonds of regional solidarity that have made CARICOM a towering symbol of unity and cooperation for more than five decades.

Guyana remains unequivocally committed to regional integration, a principled commitment from which my government will not rescind, resile, or recede. Our collective future, as Caribbean peoples, lies in our ability to bravely and wisely work together in a common cause.

Regional integration is no longer a lofty aspiration; it is an urgent necessity, and one that is now more critical and compelling than ever.

The daunting headwinds that confront our fragile region compel us to boldly and collaboratively deepen our multifaceted partnerships. These include the rising frequency and intensifying impact of natural disasters, the existential threat of global climate change, the unpredictable volatility of external markets, and the pressing need to preserve our precious region as a zone of peace, free from territorial aggression, internal instability, and the menacing scourge of transnational crime. In these perilous times, CARICOM remains our collective shield and moral compass.

We must vigorously strengthen and strategically expand intra-regional trade, aggressively advance our efforts toward long-term food security, and ensure resilient energy systems and sustainable environmental protections. Guyana is committed to playing its part in these ambitious undertakings—whether through our growing food production capacity, emerging energy resources, or our support for regional mechanisms aimed at deepening integration. At the same time, we must continue to engage traditional partners while proactively forging new strategic alliances, so as to guard against the looming threat of economic protectionism that endangers the economic sovereignty of small and vulnerable states.

Importantly, we must also safeguard and vigorously defend our cherished democratic traditions. The strength and viability of our regional project depend on the preservation and integrity of the democratic values we hold dear. Our member states must remain firmly within the democratic fold, ensuring that the respect for the democratic will of the people remains eternally inviolable.

For over five decades, CARICOM has stood proudly and consistently tall, asserting our collective presence in global affairs, deepening our internal bonds, and proving that unity in diversity is not just a lofty slogan but a lived regional reality. Let us, as one Caribbean people, move forward with unshakeable determination, clear vision, and unflinching solidarity. The challenges are real, but so too is the indomitable strength of our regional unity.

Happy CARICOM Day!