Guyana's President Receives UWI American Foundation Legacy Award

NEW YORK, New York – Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has urged the Caribbean region to actively embrace and value its unique culture and abundance of resources as he accepted the Legacy Award Class of 2024 award at the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (UWI).

President Irfaan Ali, second from left, receiving the Legacy Award Class of 2024 award at the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (UWI).Ali, who was commended for his commitment to nation-building was hailed as a regional cooperation ‘champion’ by Guyanese-born American actress, CCH Pounder.

In his address to the ceremony, Ali spoke of the enormous impact of colonisation on the region, reiterating the call for reparatory justice and commending  the efforts of the region’s premier tertiary institution in promoting this agenda.

He said as the region continues its healing journey from the repercussions of colonisation,  investing in and utilising homegrown resources are essential for fostering shared development.

“We must value more what we are. We must value more what we produce, and we must value and utilise what we own. Our culture is an integral part of the societies that we are building.”

Ali said the region is already charting its development trajectory through collaboration in the realms of food and climate security, reminding the audience that despite being the smallest carbon emitter, the Caribbean is excessively affected by climate change.

“Our commitment to energy security, climate security, and food security can be celebrated, but we are the worst affected. The commitment of the world is not motivating,” he said.

Ali told the audience that Guyana’s socio-economic development is also linked to that of the Caribbean and that Georgetown is dedication to fulfilling its regional and global responsibilities.

Regarding the situation in Haiti, where the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping has been playing a major role in efforts to end the political and socio-economic situation in the French-speaking country, President Ali, said “we will continue to do more of this, especially for the people of Haiti.

“We cannot find ourselves at a forum like this, and ignore the realities of the people of Haiti. We must never allow any circumstance or changing conditions to change the way we approach situations regionally and globally,” said Ali, who is also the chairman of the regional grouping.

The Guyanese leader said Guyana had raised an estimated GUY72.5 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.008 cents) in support of the people of Palestine.