Guyana, UAE discuss climate security, agri, infrastructure development

President Dr Irfaan Ali has led bilateral discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his delegation at State House on Saturday.
A post on the President’s social media page has said the meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including climate security, ICTs, research and development, agriculture and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar; and National ICT Advisor Darryl Akeung joined President Ali at that meeting.
The UAE Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana, Saleh Ahmed Alsuwaidi; Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, Saeed Al Hajeri; and Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Omar Saif Ghobash, were among the visiting officials.

In June, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, was in Guyana for a one-day visit to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Minister Al Hashimy, during that visit, participated in the sod-turning ceremony for a facility for persons with disability at Crane, West Coast Demerara. The facility was funded by the UAE Government.
President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy first met in October 2021, when the Guyanese Leader visited the UAE. During that visit, the two countries inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance technical assistance and cooperation.
The agreement was signed by the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and Minister Al Hashimy, who was the Managing Director for Expo2020 Dubai, in which Guyana participated.
The two officials had also met in Nassau, Bahamas on the sidelines of the 44th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) back in February this year. During that engagement, President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy discussed preparation plans for COP 28, which will be held in the UAE from November 30 to December 12, and Guyana’s partnership with the UAE regarding the conference.
Other issues discussed during that meeting included carbon credits, innovation, science and technology in the context of climate security, energy security, and food security.
Minister Al Hashimy first visited Guyana in January 2016, when she had met with then President David Granger and his Cabinet Members.