Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo engaged with The King’s Foundation during his visit to Scotland.
The Vice President toured a range of the Foundation’s programmes at Dumfries House, focused on sustainable urban development, training and supporting individuals and communities who may otherwise be left behind. These initiatives span construction, sustainable agriculture, heritage and traditional crafts, STEM education, health and wellbeing, and skills development – bringing together training, enterprise, and community support to create real pathways into employment.
Discussions also focused on the Foundation’s expanding international work, including its collaboration with Guyana to advance sustainable urban development. This partnership is in response to the vision set out by President Irfaan Ali to ensure that Guyana’s rapid urban growth is matched by strong planning, high-quality design, and a focus on liveability and long-term resilience.
He also interacted with international students participating in the Foundation’s programmes, including from Antigua and Barbuda, gaining insight into training in areas such as sustainable construction and the development of practical skills for modern, climate-resilient economies.
Speaking after his visit, the Vice President highlighted how Guyana has made major progress in delivering the fundamentals of development, with the past five years seeing unprecedented investment in infrastructure – including new roads, bridges, housing, and drainage systems, alongside expanded access to services and economic opportunities across the country. He emphasised that as Guyana continues to grow, the focus is now on improving the quality, integration, and sustainability of this development – ensuring that growth translates into better living standards for all citizens.