President Irfaan Ali warned that the increasing intensity of climate change is placing the Caribbean at greater risk, as he reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to disaster response and environmental protection.
At the Guyana Defence Force’s ceremony for Operation Melissa 2025-01 on Wednesday, the head of state stated that the region faces a global climate crisis.
“The Caribbean stands on the front line of this global climate crisis. Climate change does not discriminate, but its impacts are not evenly felt. Small island developing states, like many of our Caribbean neighbours, bear a disproportionate burden,” he said.
He noted that stronger storms, deeper floods and prolonged droughts are becoming more frequent in the Caribbean region.
“A single hurricane can erase years of development and devastate economies,” the president said, referencing the recent impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
Against this backdrop, President Ali stressed that Guyana’s approach to development places strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, including the protection of forests and the responsible management of natural resources.
“While we respond to crisis with urgency and compassion, we must also act with foresight and determination to mitigate the risk,” the president said.
He also underscored the importance of global advocacy, calling for greater action to address climate change and ensure climate justice for vulnerable nations.
“We must continue to raise our voices on the global stage, to demand climate justice, and to protect Guyana and our region from threats posed by the warming planet,” the head of state urged.
While highlighting the challenges, the president pointed to Guyana’s swift humanitarian response to Jamaica as a demonstration of regional solidarity.
He said the deployment of troops was not just an act of assistance, but a reflection of the country’s commitment to standing with its Caribbean neighbours in times of crisis.
“We have positioned Guyana as a leading country in the region in natural disaster response,” President Ali said.
He reminded the nation that while Guyana stands ready to assist regional partners, it must also remain prepared to respond to disasters at home.