The government, through the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, presented the National Heritage Preservation Bill 2026 to the National Assembly on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for a modern framework to protect Guyana’s cultural and historical sites.
The legislation (Bill No. 16 of 2026) seeks to establish a National Heritage Preservation Council to oversee the designation of historic sites, districts, artefacts, underwater locations, and treasure troves as national heritage.
Presenting the legislation, Minister Ramson explained that its provisions are intended to ensure the conservation, preservation, protection and management of the country’s heritage.
He stated that the proposed legislation would also ensure Guyana’s heritage preservation efforts remain consistent with the constitution and the country’s obligations under applicable international conventions.
The introduction of the bill represents an important step towards strengthening the country’s institutional and legislative arrangements for safeguarding its historical and cultural assets.
The new bill is also intended to replace the existing National Trust Act, which has been in place for nearly five decades, with a more modern framework that addresses evolving needs of heritage identification, protection and management.
When enacted, the legislation will provide a more structured approach to recognising and safeguarding heritage assets, while establishing the necessary institutional oversight through the proposed National Heritage Preservation Council.