President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday used his address to the Belize National Assembly to call for expanded cooperation between Guyana and Belize as the two countries prepare to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas including education, agriculture, tourism, technology, and security.

The Guyanese leader is in Belize on a three-day State visit, during which he said the longstanding relationship between the two CARICOM states must now translate into deeper economic integration, shared resilience and tangible benefits for citizens.

“It is a great honour to stand before this Assembly in the spirit of friendship and shared purpose that has long united Belize and Guyana,” President Ali said, noting that the visit provided “a valued opportunity to deepen political dialogue [and] expand cooperation across economic, security, cultural, and environmental spheres.”

The Head of State placed strong emphasis on regional food security, arguing that Belize and Guyana must take a leadership role in feeding the Caribbean while pushing back against bureaucratic and artificial trade barriers.

“Belize and Guyana must lead in the food security of this region,” he said, adding, “We must together champion the cause of removing the barriers to trade, especially in food, in this region.”

He stressed that CARICOM’s target to reduce the regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030 presents “enormous opportunities” for both countries, particularly through modern agricultural technology, climate-resilient farming and value-added agro-processing. Ali said Guyana stands ready to partner with Belize in adopting new systems and innovations.

The President also framed climate change as the most urgent existential threat facing small states, while rejecting what he described as a charity-based approach to climate financing.

“The solution is not a begging bowl for handouts, or for charity, or for sympathy,” Ali declared. “The problem is real, and we have real assets… the solution must be market-based.”

He highlighted Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy and its approach to monetising forest conservation through carbon credits, arguing that forest-rich countries like Guyana and Belize must ensure the economic value of their ecosystems is returned to their people.

“In Guyana, we have made it clear that our forests are worth more standing than being felled,” he said.

Sr. Ali reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to democratic governance, regional integration and the peaceful settlement of disputes, noting that CARICOM has remained “intact, resilient and relevant” for more than 50 years.

“Regional cooperation is not a surrender of sovereignty. It is a reinforcement of that sovereignty,” he told legislators.

He also underscored the need for coordinated regional responses to transnational crime, climate risks, energy insecurity and economic shocks, arguing that “transnational problems demand transnational solutions.”

Turning to economic growth, the Guyanese President urged private-sector actors in both countries to actively pursue cross-border partnerships in capital, talent, land, technology, and markets, assuring them that both governments are aligned in supporting private enterprise.

“I assure you… that the prosperity of Guyana will lead to the prosperity of Belize and the prosperity of this region,” he said.

Guyana and Belize are expected to formalise cooperation through several MOUs during the State visit, aimed at strengthening institutional ties and advancing shared development goals across key sectors.

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The Ministry of Education (MoE) wishes to clarify that recent social media reports alleging the distribution of burnt meals under the National Breakfast Programme are entirely false.

Following a comprehensive investigation that included a review of helpdesk logs, teachers’ feedback, and mandatory daily photographic records from caterers, no evidence was found to support these claims.

The images being circulated are mischievous and a gross misrepresentation of our school feeding programme.

The Ministry of Education remains committed to maintaining strict nutritional standards and we encourage the public to use our official helpdesk to report any legitimate concerns: 707-1199.

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President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali says Guyana is gearing up to start flying fresh produce from the interior directly to CARICOM markets within the next year, a move expected to reshape regional food trade and create new opportunities for hinterland farmers.

The announcement came on Thursday as the Head of State turned the sod for the new airport terminal at the Bartica aerodrome. He said the initiative is tied to government’s broader push to strengthen food security, fix long-standing transport hurdles, and position Guyana as a leading supplier of fresh foods to the Caribbean.

According to President Ali, improved air connectivity will shorten the time it takes for produce to move from interior farms to export points, giving farmers in Region Seven and surrounding areas more direct access to regional buyers. He noted that government is working with air operators and regulatory bodies to build a logistical system that allows agricultural goods to move seamlessly from hinterland communities straight into CARICOM states.

“Within 12 months, we will fly food out from the interior, directly into CARICOM countries,” President Ali stated, adding that the shift will help mining communities that are branching out into agriculture and agro-processing.

He said the initiative supports CARICOM’s goal of cutting the region’s food import bill by 25% and gives Guyanese farmers an opportunity to scale up production, expand value-added processing, and benefit from higher export earnings. President Ali stressed that development must reach every part of the country, not only the coast, and this plan is another step toward ensuring that all regions share in the nation’s growth.

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The Ministry of Health has launched the “Colourful Cooking, Healthy Living” Recipe Book, a fresh initiative designed to reshape national eating habits and promote better nutrition. Developed by the ministry’s Food Policy Division, the book merges traditional Guyanese cuisine with nutrient-rich ingredients such as vegetables, seeds and whole grains. It also limits or eliminates sugar in several recipes, aligning with national efforts to tackle lifestyle-related diseases.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony applauded the Food Policy Division for its dedication to advancing nutrition education, noting that “there are simple changes we can make that can help us live longer. Diet plays a significant role, and we need to encourage people to think carefully about what they eat.”

Created specifically for Guyanese families, schools and communities, the book features easy, tasty and healthy recipes that promote long-term well-being.

A QR code is available for free download.

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