ExxonMobil rig contracts for Nigeria, Guyana

January 27, 2026

ExxonMobil affiliates awarded contracts to Noble, including additional rig years in Guyana.

For work in Guyana, ExxonMobil awarded two additional rig years of backlog under the commercial enabling agreement, which has been assigned evenly across four drillships—Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Tom Madden, and Noble Bob Douglas  —extending each rig through February 2029.

Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Ltd. awarded a 2-year drilling contract to Noble Gerry de Souza drillship for work offshore which includes up to 3 years of optional extensions.  This project is expected to add an estimated $292 million to Noble’s backlog resuming operations through PIDWAL, its Nigerian joint venture with Derotech. Noble plans to upgrade the Gerry de Souza for Managed Pressure Drilling ahead of the program, for which operations are expected to begin mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and conditions.

 

 

Saipem awards Guyana subsea contract for ExxonMobil project

(Copyright)

Enermech will handle subsea pre-commissioning at ExxonMobil’s Whiptail field

Davide Ghilotti
Breaking News Editor
London 13 January 2026

Saipem awarded a contract for subsea pre-commissioning services for Guyana’s Whiptail development, part of ExxonMobil’s prolific Stabroek play, to contractor EnerMech. This will be EnerMech’s first involvement in Whiptail, after the company supported subsea campaigns across other Stabroek projects including Liza Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail and Uaru.

The work scope of a suite of pre-commissioning activities, includes cleaning and hydrotesting of subsea risers and flowlines; umbilical post-load out, transit and lay monitoring from the offshore construction vessel; and dynamic umbilical lay monitoring with post-installation testing from the FPSO.

EnerMech chief executive Charles Davison Jr said the contract is “another important milestone in our Guyana growth story”. The company is “investing locally” with a new facility based in Georgetown, allowing it to mobilise faster for future projects.

ExxonMobil deployed four FPSOs in the Stabroek Block — Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and the recently commissioned One Guyana — collectively boosting installed capacity to over 900,000 barrels per day of oil .

 

 

 

Saipem awards EnerMech subsea contract for Whiptail project

January 13, 2026

EnerMech has been awarded a subsea pre-commissioning services contract by Saipem for the Whiptail development offshore Guyana, expanding its footprint in one of the world’s most active deepwater provinces.

The Whiptail project is located about 200 miles offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil Guyana. The contract marks EnerMech’s first involvement on the Whiptail field and its fifth subsea pre-commissioning scope offshore Guyana.

Under the agreement, EnerMech will deliver a range of subsea pre-commissioning activities, including flooding, cleaning and hydrotesting of subsea risers and flowlines. The scope includes umbilical post-load-out, transit and lay monitoring from an offshore construction vessel, as well as dynamic umbilical lay monitoring and post-installation testing from the FPSO.

EnerMech supported subsea campaigns on major Guyana developments, including Liza Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail and Uaru, as activity in the Stabroek Block continues to scale. To support rising offshore demand in Guyana, EnerMech is establishing a new operational facility in Georgetown and implementing a phased equipment acquisition program. Planned additions include remote flooding units and subsea test pumps, aimed at enabling faster mobilization and greater local execution capability for future projects.

The Whiptail award further reinforces the growing role of specialized subsea service providers as operators and contractors advance multiple deepwater developments offshore Guyana.

 

 

 

ExxonMobil Guyana contactor lets pre-commissioning contract for Whiptail

January. 13, 2026

Construction on Whiptail, Guyana’s sixth development project, is under way with operations set to begin in 2027. ExxonMobil Guyana contractor Saipem signed EnerMech for a subsea pre-commissioning services contract for the Whiptail subsea pre-commissioning project 200 miles offshore in the Stabroek block.

Operations will commence in 2027 with production of about 250,000 b/d of oil. Under the new contract, EnerMech will flood, clean and hydrotest subsea risers and flowlines. The company will post load-out, transit and lay monitoring umbilicals from the offshore construction vessel with dynamic umbilical lay monitoring and post-installation testing from the FPSO unit.

EnerMech is establishing a facility in Georgetown and executing a phased equipment acquisition strategy, including addition of remote flooding units (RFUs) and subsea test pumps (STPs).This award marks EnerMech’s first project on the Whiptail field and builds on its Guyana subsea pre-commissioning campaigns including Liza Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru fields.

 

 

 

Saipem taps EnerMech for ExxonMobil’s $12.7 billion oil project

January 13, 2026 Melisa Cavcic

Aberdeen-headquartered integrated solutions specialist EnerMech landed a new pre-commissioning assignment with Italy’s engineering, drilling, and construction services giant Saipem for Guyana’s sixth deepwater oil development project at the Stabroek block, operated by ExxonMobil Guyana, a subsidiary of the U.S. giant ExxonMobil. EnerMech’s new job is with Saipem for subsea pre-commissioning project offshore Guyana.

EnerMech’s fifth pre-commissioning scope is a subsea pre-commissioning services contract, awarded by Saipem, for ExxonMobil’s Whiptail development, approximately 200 miles offshore in the Stabroek Block. The Scottish player explains that this award marks its first project on the Whiptail field and builds on its proven track record supporting subsea pre-commissioning campaigns including Liza Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru fields.

The firm will deliver a full suite of activities, including flooding, cleaning and hydrotesting of subsea risers and flowlines; umbilical post-load out, transit and lay monitoring from the offshore construction vessel; and dynamic umbilical lay monitoring and post-installation testing from a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO).

The $12.7 billion Whiptail oil project was sanctioned as ExxonMobil’s sixth project in Guyana’s Stabroek block, with SBM Offshore tasked with the front end engineering and design (FEED) work for the project’s FPSO unit.

EnerMech is establishing a new facility in Georgetown and executing a phased equipment acquisition strategy, including the addition of remote flooding units (RFUs) and subsea test pumps (STPs) to meet the growing demand for offshore energy services in the region.

This assignment follows the one-year contract renewal EnerMech obtained in November 2025 for work offshore Australia with Woodside.

Charles Davison, Jr., EnerMech CEO, said: “This latest award for our Energy Solutions team is another important milestone in our Guyana growth story. It underscores the trust that leading offshore contractors like Saipem continue to place in our people, technology and track record.”

 

 

 

EnerMech awarded Saipem contract for Whiptail project

14 January 2026

Contract marks fifth pre-commissioning scope for offshore Guyana

EnerMech won a subsea pre-commissioning services contract from Saipem for the Whiptail Development, located approximately 200 miles offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block operated by ExxonMobil Guyana. This award marks EnerMech’s first project on the Whiptail field and builds on its proven track record supporting subsea pre-commissioning campaigns offshore Guyana, including Liza Phase 2, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru fields. Under the contract, the integrated technical solutions specialist will deliver a full suite of activities, including:

1. Flooding, cleaning and hydrotesting of subsea risers and flowlines
2. Umbilical post-load out, transit and lay monitoring from the offshore construction vessel
3. Dynamic umbilical lay monitoring and post-installation testing from the FPSO unit

EnerMech CEO Charles Davison, Jr. said: ‘This latest award for our Energy Solutions team is another important milestone in our Guyana growth story. It underscores the trust that leading offshore contractors like Saipem continue to place in our people, technology and track record.’

To meet the growing demand for offshore energy services in the region, EnerMech is establishing a new facility in Georgetown and executing a phased equipment acquisition strategy, including the addition of remote flooding units (RFUs) and subsea test pumps (STPs). These investments will support future projects and enable faster, more efficient mobilization of equipment locally.

Source: EnerMech

 

 

 

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Guyana licence update

14 January 2026

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, the exploration company focused on the offshore Atlantic Margin, provided an update regarding its position in Guyana.

The Company announced that, with Navitas Petroleum, it is engaged in ongoing, constructive discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources of Guyana, regarding continuation of Eco’s appraisal and exploration programme on the Orinduik Block.

While the Orinduik Licence reached the end of its second renewal term on 14 January 2026, the provisions under the Petroleum Act allow the Company to maintain rights to the Jethro-1 and Joe-1 discoveries pending approval of the submitted appraisal programme. To this effect, the MNR and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission are in receipt of the relevant joint submissions from Eco Atlantic and Navitas. Eco Atlantic and Navitas continue to pursue the most efficient and value-accretive path forward that will be acceptable to the Ministry.

The partners’ appraisal and new exploration work programme discussions are part of a customary regulatory process under the existing legislative framework. This dialogue reflects Eco’s long-standing commitment to responsible exploration and potential development in collaboration with the Government and its new framework agreement with Navitas. The Company will update the market when appropriate.

Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, said: ‘We continue to engage constructively with the Government of Guyana and our partners as we work through the next phase of our exploration and appraisal work in the basin.

Our focus remains on preserving access to existing discoveries, progressing appraisal activity and evaluating opportunities to enhance the Block configuration in a manner aligned with both shareholders’ values and as importantly Guyana’s national objectives.’

Source: Eco Atlantic

 

 

 

Eco Atlantic engages Guyana on Orinduik Block licence continuation

January 14, 2026

Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas said it is in discussions with the Government to continue appraisal and exploration activities on the offshore Orinduik Block after the licence reached the end of its second renewal term on Jan. 14, 2026. The company, working with partner Navitas Petroleum, said Guyana’s Petroleum Act allows Eco to retain rights to the Jethro-1 and Joe-1 discoveries pending approval of a submitted appraisal program. Joint submissions were provided to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Eco said the discussions are part of the country’s customary regulatory process and are focused on preserving access to existing discoveries while advancing appraisal and potential new exploration work. The company said it will update the market as discussions progress.

 

 

Oil & gas duo in talks over exploration and appraisal at offshore block

January 14, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, an AIM-listed and Canada-headquartered oil and gas company focused on the Atlantic Margin, and its partner, Israel’s Navitas Petroleum, are engaged in discussions with Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to enable the continuation of the appraisal and exploration program in an offshore block.

While the Orinduik license reached the end of its second renewal term on January 14, 2026, provisions under the Petroleum Act allow Eco to maintain rights to the Jethro-1 and Joe-1 discoveries, pending approval of the submitted appraisal program.

To this end, the company claims that MNR and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission are in receipt of the relevant joint submissions it made with Navitas, as the two players continue to pursue the most efficient and value-accretive path forward that will be acceptable to the ministry.

Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented: “We continue to engage constructively with the government of Guyana and our partners as we work through the next phase of our exploration and appraisal work in the basin.

Our focus remains on preserving access to existing discoveries, progressing appraisal activity, and evaluating opportunities to enhance the Block configuration in a manner that is aligned with both shareholders’ values and as importantly Guyana’s government national objectives.”

The duo’s appraisal and new exploration work program discussions are part of a customary regulatory process under the existing legislative framework. This dialogue is perceived to reflect Eco’s long-standing commitment to responsible exploration and potential development in collaboration with the government and its new framework agreement with Navitas.

Shortly after the companies signed a framework agreement related to several assets, the Israeli player inked a non-binding memorandum of agreement with JHI Associates (JHI), in which the AIM-listed firm has a 6.6% interest, for the acquisition of a 65% working interest in the PL001 North Falklands Basin license, adjacent to the Sea Lion development.

 

 

 

Modern governance framework for oil, gas sector

27 January 2026

The Government is proceeding with plans to enhance governance and institutional capacity in the growing oil and gas industry. During the Budget 2026 presentation on Monday January 26, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh stated that the administration is working to create a modern and credible governance system for the oil and gas sector.

This effort involves updating laws and regulations, strengthening key institutions and continuously developing technical skills within the public sector. In the past five years, the government launched wide-ranging legislative reform to align the petroleum sector with international standards.

This includes enacting

1. 1. the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act and the Local Content Act (LCA) in 2021,
   2. the Petroleum Activities Act (PAA) in 2023 – which replaced the 1986 Petroleum Act – and
   3. the Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Act (OPPPRRA) in 2025 to address environmental risks and emergency protocols.

Dr Singh told the National Assembly, ‘These Acts lay the foundation for a modern legal framework to govern the sector,’

1. 1. The government plans to update the First Schedule of the Local Content Act this year to expand the range of goods and services eligible under local content rules.
   2. Review of regulations under the Petroleum Activities Act is progressing, incorporating lessons from the Hammerhead Petroleum Production Licensing process. The additional work should result in the finalisation and implementation of the regulations by 2026.
   3. The commencement order for the OPPPRRA is expected to be issued this year, allowing for full implementation and the rollout of coordinated compliance and enforcement measures.

Dr Singh emphasised the administration’s commitment to developing human capital within the petroleum governance framework. In 2025, government agencies participated in targeted training sessions led by industry experts in market analytics, cost estimation and scenario modelling.

‘The government will keep providing these capacity-building opportunities,’ he said, stressing that strengthening local skills is crucial for managing the petroleum economy effectively.

 

 

 

Historic $1.558 trillion Budget 2026

January 27, 2026

Guyana’s largest-ever budget was presented in the National Assembly, with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, detailing a $1.558 trillion blueprint aimed at translating robust economic growth into tangible benefits for every Guyanese.

Budget 2026, the first of the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration following its landslide victory in the September 2025 elections, represents a 12.7 per cent increase over last year and a staggering 307 per cent rise from the $383.1 billion budget of 2021. The theme, “Putting the People First,” underscores the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and expanding opportunities for all citizens.

Delivering the six-hour presentation, Dr Singh painted a picture of Guyana on the move:

1. an economy expanding at 19.3 per cent in 2025,
2. with the non-oil economy growing 14.3 per cent,
3. reflecting broad-based growth across
   1. 1. agriculture,
      2. mining,
      3. manufacturing,
      4. construction and services.

“Budget 2026 is designed to translate sustained economic expansion into tangible investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen communities, and modernise national infrastructure.”

The budget reflects a commitment to economic empowerment. SMEs, youth, women, and persons living with disabilities will benefit from access to micro-credit loans at zero interest through the Guyana Development Bank, complemented by mentorship and co-investment schemes with commercial banks.

Dr Singh framed the budget as a blueprint for resilience and opportunity: “The Guyana we are building is one where every family can aspire to homeownership, where our children access world-class education, and where economic opportunity is the birthright of every citizen.”

Housing, agriculture, and human capital feature prominently .

1. Over $159 billion is allocated to advance the government’s housing drive, expanding access to affordable homes and upgrading infrastructure across regions.
2. In education, $183.6 billion is earmarked for school infrastructure, teacher development and skills training to meet the needs of a growing, modern economy.
3. Agriculture, including agro-processing and value-added production, receives $113.2 billion to strengthen food security and rural livelihoods.

Dr Singh highlighted that these are not mere expenditures, but “investments that build the foundation of a more prosperous and secure society.” Social protection remains central to the government’s agenda, with $78.3 billion targeted at supporting children, women, the elderly and vulnerable groups, while $7.5 billion will advance development in Amerindian communities.

Infrastructure development continues at scale, with $196.1 billion to expand and rehabilitate roads and bridges, improving connectivity and supporting commerce.

Hinterland and riverine mobility is a priority, with $11.2 billion dedicated to river transport and $3.2 billion for the new 150,000-square-foot terminal at Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The energy sector will receive $119.4 billion to lower electricity costs, enhance reliability and promote industrial growth.

Recognising the importance of economic diversification, Budget 2026 allocates $2.2 billion to complete the Hospitality and Tourism Institute, to train over 700 professionals. Culture and creative industries, part of the “Orange Economy,” receive $3.7 billion for initiatives including the Palmyra Cultural Market and the National Art Gallery and Museum. Sporting infrastructure and community programmes are supported with a $6 billion investment. Palmyra International Stadium will be completed this year

Other measures to increase disposable income include raising the old age pension from $41,000 to $46,000 per month, boosting public assistance to $25,000 and increasing stipends for community workers to $50,000 monthly. A National Cash Grant of $100,000 for every adult Guyanese will again be disbursed in 2026, while income tax thresholds are raised to $140,000 monthly.

Budget 2026 also draws on Guyana’s oil wealth, with projected government earnings of US$2.4 billion in profit oil from the Stabroek Block and US$375 million in royalties, while maintaining no new taxes for citizens. These resources are being deployed to ensure that prosperity is shared across regions, communities and households.As Guyana approaches its 60th independence anniversary, Budget 2026 signals a new phase in development: a people-first approach designed to build not just infrastructure, but opportunity, security and dignity.

 

 

 

$113.2B allocation for agriculture sector

January 27, 2026

During presentation of the 2026 budget, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh outlined a wide‑ranging vision to transform Guyana’s agriculture sector into a resilient, high‑value engine of development and economic growth, unveiling a suite of investments and policy priorities spanning sugar, rice, livestock, coconut and other emerging value chains.

Proclaiming the sector’s centrality to national resilience, Dr. Singh announced a $113.2 billion allocation to support food security.

The government will continue to invest heavily in storage and post‑harvest infrastructure, green technologies and expanding industrial complexes, with the aim of opening 100,000 acres of new arable land to boost capacity.

“Agriculture and food security sit at the centre of Guyana’s economic strategy for resilience. Government has invested, and will continue to invest heavily in projects, initiatives and systems that keep people fed, improve incomes for farmers and reduce exposure to external shocks.”

Farmers will benefit from improved extension services and the Agriculture Information System (AIS) allowing them to receive timely delivery of information through digital platforms.

Rice remains a core focus as Dr. Singh detailed production‑oriented interventions to expand acreage and yields, build drying floors, invest in seed processing facilities and rice milling, promote domestic fertiliser production and increase climate‑controlled silo storage.
$430 million has been budgeted to support continued development of the rice sector.

DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION
Recognising the importance of critical drainage and irrigation systems across the country, $81.9 billion has been allocated to continue improvement countrywide. He outlined strategic policies and plans to invest in agriculture, expanding food security efforts and economic growth.

“Over the next five years, the government’s vision is to reinforce agriculture as a major pillar of Guyana’s diversification efforts, and to buttress Guyana’s place in the region as the leader in food security. We will continue to work to improve production and productivity, improve market access, and increase farm and household income,” the minister added.

DIVERSIFICATION AND HIGHER VALUED CROPS
The government will support mega farms developed with private‑sector partners and the increased production of high-valued crops and vegetables through construction of greenhouses, tunnel farming and hydroponics.

The coconut industry will undergo expansion with an additional 5,000 acres of production and the construction of a state‑of‑the‑art processing facility to boost product development.

Corn, soybean and poultry value‑chain investments will target thousands of acres and tens of thousands of tonnes of output to support feedstock needs.

$3.3 billion has been allocated for other crops, $1.9 billion for the livestock industry, $1.5 billion for the fisheries and aquaculture industry, $745 million for the agro-processing sector and $195 million for the coconut industry.

Plant health will receive priority investments with strengthened plant protection and quarantine services with improved surveillance and integrated pest management strategies.

Expanded extension outreach will ensure new technologies and planting materials are effectively adopted at farm level. Dr. Singh tied these massive investments to the government’s expansive economic strategy highlighting benefits in job creation, rural revitalisation, increased farmer incomes and greater export competitiveness.

The government is investing this year in expanded bamboo cultivation to support a pilot bamboo furniture manufacturing initiative. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said, in his presentation of Budget 2026,

“In 2026, the forestry sector will pilot bamboo furniture manufacturing using existing inventories while cultivating 50 acres to expand bamboo supplies in support of sustainable diversification.”

The government will establish a registry of furniture manufacturers and identify beneficiaries for training to grow supply to meet the needs of residential and commercial consumers.

The Minister acknowledged that in recent years, value-added production across the forestry industry was boosted by additional private sector investments in sawmills, kiln drying facilities, and furniture manufacturing operations.

During 2025, the prefabricated housing initiative was able to scale production and will supply domestic and export markets, using both prime and lesser-known timber species. Guyana’s Timber Legality Assurance System is advancing work to issue the first Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Licence by the end of 2026, after which trade missions to target export markets to the EU will be facilitated

 

 

 

Wageningen University, Research of The Netherlands in agriculture and food cooperation

January 29, 2026

Wageningen University and Research – an organization that is made up of a public research university and a non-profit research institute in Wageningen, Netherlands – is currently fielding a mission to Guyana to explore opportunities for collaboration in sustainable agriculture, food systems, climate resilience and biodiversity management.

Wageningen University and Research combines academic research with applied science to address global challenges related to food security, agriculture, climate change and environmental sustainability. Head of Cooperation at the European Union (EU), Joan Nadal Sastre said the visit is a direct follow-up to the European Union-funded mission under the Global Gateway for Guyana representatives visiting EU institutions such as Wageningen last November.

The Manager for International Cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean at Wageningen, Ria Hulsman said they have thus far held talks with the Guyana School of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). From those discussions it is clear that Guyana is powering its Agriculture Sector with significant investments in critical areas such as agro-processing, and the use of technology to increase production.

“We are very much impressed with the investments that are made and I believe there is also a huge will of young people to work in this sector which is very positive.

So, we saw a lot of installations in the Guyana School of Agriculture. We will visit the University of Guyana, and we were two days together with NAREI visiting their demonstration farms in District 5 and we believe as a university, as a research institute we could offer and work together to push together this sector, and especially the agro-business sector.”

Wageningen International Project Manager, Jouke Campen said he was very impressed by the high level of youth involvement in Agriculture in Guyana at a time when many are leaning towards Technology.

“I am also very impressed by the knowledge network already in placed in Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture, and it is a really impressive place where young people are stimulated to go into Agriculture, which is very important because a lot of young people are not really interested, they want to go into IT.”

Through Wageningen, Hulsman and Campen are exploring how the University can support Guyana’s agricultural transformation while maintaining strong climate and biodiversity safeguards.

Head of the European Union Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Luca Pierantoni said the visit by the Wageningen University Delegation forms part of the EU’s push to foster greater partnership between EU and Guyana. He said there is great opportunity for business to business partnership.

“It seems that there are a lot of interests from both sides. We are talking about partnerships that are mutually beneficial for Europeans to increase their presence here, and for Guyanese to increase their presence in Europe, and for Europeans and Guyanese to work together to improve the production lines, the capacity of finding markets, new markets for products,” Ambassador Pierantoni said.

He said this year, the EU is organizing three new business missions in consultation with its Member States and local players in Guyana including the Private Sector, Go-Invest and the Government.

 

 

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry commends the Government for its strategic focus on the development of its people and significant provisions to bolster growth of the business community through targeted interventions in Budget 2026.

The Chamber welcomes initiatives such as the removal of corporate tax on agriculture and agro- processing businesses; expansion of export allowance to include timber products; removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on locally made furniture and jewellery, and importation of security equipment, and the attention being paid on the development of the tourism sector.

Anticipated to have a transformational effect on the playing field for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises in particular, the GCCI applauds provision for US$100 million into the zero-interest development bank. Viewed in conjunction with the introduction of flat tax on double-cab pick-ups; removal of VAT on new vehicles below 1500CCs and all-terrain vehicles and the continuation of freight charge relief, these interventions reflect commitment to prosperity of the business sector and the people.

The GCCI congratulates the government on tabling the $1.558 trillion budget to improve lives and remains committed to working with the government for advancement of Guyana’s business sector and economy.

 

 

 

Guyana eschews deal for USA to settle border dispute with Venezuela

11 January 2026

Asked to comment on US intervention in the region and seeking settlement of the border controversy with Venezuela being given some space, President Irfaan Ali ruled out yielding to the USA to amicably resolve the border controversy with Venezuela.

“My priority is the safety and security of the Guyanese people and on the integrity of our borders, our territorial integrity and our sovereignty and nothing in that relation will ever be compromised,” he told media.

The US has not made any such call but observers of international relations speculate that the USA may want to negotiate a deal between Guyana and Venezuela to allow unimpeded access to petroliferous areas onshore and offshore Essequibo.

Democratic and Republican-led administrations in the US unequivocally recognised Guyana’s existing borders. Though Guyana is confident that it will win its case before the International Court of Justice on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award, experts consider that Venezuela will continue to press its claim to the 160,000 square kilometre Essequibo Region and the oil-rich Atlantic Margin.

Since arresting Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and flying them to New York to face drugs, terrorism and weapons charges, US President Donald Trump has said that his administration would “run” Venezuela for an unspecified period and use its crude oil revenues for the benefit of the OPEC founder.

After the US action in Venezuela, President Ali said “in our region today, there are changes that will change the democratic landscape of our region; changes that will change the security landscape and changes are important in maintaining the stability of our region in crushing international and transnational criminal networks.”

He cautioned against believing that Guyana was immune from “networks and cells all over the world” driven by actions elsewhere. . Successes of businesses in the region were hinged on the level of security. In apparent reference to the 25.5% reduction in serious crimes during 2025, he said those were the “lowest” in the last 10 years and were due to the use of technology in crime fighting.

“We are partnering with technology…with innovation… with the people. We are partnering with communities because we know that your investment depends heavily on a stable and secure environment.”

 

 

 

Exciting opportunities as Guyana advances climate, biodiversity leadership in UK

January 28, 2026

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said “exciting opportunities” lie ahead for Guyana as he summed up the first official day of his visit to the United Kingdom via a video. Engagements on his first day were undertaken in the interest of the Guyanese people, with leadership in biodiversity and ecosystem services at the centre of discussions.

A major highlight was a meeting with His Majesty King Charles III, who , “is not only an onlooker in what we are doing but an active participant and a promoter of the work Guyana is doing in terms of climate, environment, forestry and now biodiversity.“

The president stated that the meeting was productive and praised Guyana for leadership and progress in forestry, biodiversity, and climate resilience in which His Majesty renewed his support for Guyana.

Discussions also focused on identifying shared priorities and exploring ways to advance innovative financing mechanisms for biodiversity. Particular attention was given to developing a market-based biodiversity model, supported by sustainable financing

“As you know, biodiversity is integrally related to pharmaceuticals, indigenous culture, rights, language,” the president said, noting that by recognising these interconnections, Guyana aims to establish itself as a focal point for global discussions and action on biodiversity.

The president and his delegation, which includes the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, and Shyam Nokta, the Presidential Adviser (Climate Change and Biodiversity), held discussions with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

These discussions demonstrate a robust alignment between Guyana’s initiatives and the Commonwealth’s priorities.  Guyana is determined to establish a Commonwealth Centre of Excellence on Biodiversity, in collaboration with the Commonwealth.

This centre will be “integrated with other centres around the world, where we have already lost 60 per cent of our biodiversity …so, there are some exciting announcements .. programmes and exciting opportunities ahead.”

These efforts are part of a plan to create a strong, sustainable and diversified economy. Guyana is not only focusing on traditional sectors but also investing in new areas of environmental, ecological, biodiversity, forest and climate services.

Like artificial intelligence and digitalisation, these sectors will play a defining role in the global economy of the future.

“We are positioning Guyana ahead of that time, future-proofing our economy for our people, for sustainability and resilience, but more importantly, for the world…one in which sustainability and resilience are part of our everyday life.”

Outgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller announced that the UK officially joined the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA), an international initiative spearheaded by President Ali to accelerate global action against biodiversity loss.

The GBA was launched in July 2025 in Georgetown.