‘Size should never limit potential’ – Guyana positioned as a global model of transformation at Saudi Investment Forum

Though Guyana covers just over 83,000 square miles and is home to fewer than a million people, this small South American nation continues to punch well above its weight on the global stage — a feat driven by the bold, visionary leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

“The size of a country should never determine its ability to compete,” President Ali declared on Tuesday, as he delivered a passionate address to world leaders, investors, and policymakers at the 9th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a compelling case for small developing nations, President Irfaan Ali urged that countries like his own be recognised as models of transformation and sustainability, capable of driving meaningful global change.

Held under the theme “The Key to Prosperity – Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth,” the FII9 forum brought together heads of government, international organisations, and private sector giants to explore strategies for inclusive and sustainable development.

Speaking during a high-level panel discussion, President Ali challenged conventional measures of national potential, arguing that true strength lies not in geography or population, but in the ambition and innovation of a people.

“We are shaped by the way we think and the boldness in our thinking,” he said. “If we limit our ability to be transformative and innovative by the size of our population or our country, then we will never be able to compete. That is why investment in human capital, in technology, and in building the infrastructure to support competitiveness is so important.”

The president underscored that Guyana’s development model rests on a critical balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.

While the world has lost nearly 60 per cent of its biodiversity in the past 50 years, he reminded the audience that Guyana has maintained over 89 per cent of its forest cover, storing some 19.5 gigatons of carbon — one of the highest preservation rates on the planet.

“This is the country that is keeping the world alive,” President Ali said to resounding applause. “Here is a country that is providing the solution to the global problems of deforestation and climate change, yet many do not know of it. That is the problem; our priorities as a global community are not always aligned with the real solutions that exist.”

At the same time, he pointed to Guyana’s remarkable economic trajectory, noting that it now stands as the fastest-growing economy in the world — powered by vast oil and gas discoveries but grounded in a broader, more inclusive vision.

“Every country must be able to compete in a global system,” he stated. “And to do that, regardless of how big or small you are, you need the right infrastructure, the right education system, healthcare, and a food system that will keep your people out of starvation and hunger.”

President Ali outlined Guyana’s strategy to leapfrog into a digital and AI-driven economy, even as the country continues to invest in traditional sectors such as agriculture, food security, and eco-tourism.

He drew parallels with Qatar — a small nation that used its natural resources to engineer rapid transformation — noting that Guyana is following a similar path of reinvesting oil wealth into human capital, education, healthcare, and technology.

“We recently discovered oil, and that has ignited the rate and pace of transformation,” he said. “It has allowed us to make the right set of investments in our people and in the systems that will secure our long-term prosperity.”

Reaffirming Guyana’s openness to global partnerships, President Ali extended an invitation to investors and collaborators to join in shaping a future defined by shared progress, resilience, and sustainability.

“We are bringing in talent, technology, and partnerships,” he concluded. “Because we do not have the time or the human resources to start from scratch — but we do have the vision and determination to lead.”