Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo warned Wednesday that global climate targets may be difficult to achieve without stronger U.S. participation, while urging developing nations to pursue aggressive national policies and prepare for rapid advances in artificial intelligence.Speaking at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026 in New Delhi, Jagdeo struck a blunt tone about the state of international climate diplomacy.“We are operating today in a different context. I’ve heard whispers on in the corridors, but often we are reluctant to confront the biggest issue that is affecting us right now, and that is the need to raise ambition to achieve the climate goals that we have set ourselves, and with the absence of the United States of America at the table… it would be very, very difficult for us to achieve the climate goals,” he said.Jagdeo said U.S. involvement remains critical to carbon markets and regulations affecting sectors such as shipping, aviation and methane emissions. “Without the United States again, that would be very difficult,” he added, calling on countries to “find ways where we can move forward even without the participation of the United States of America at this point in time.”Pointing to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), he highlighted the country’s forest conservation efforts. “Guyana is about the size of the United Kingdom, 86 per cent of it is discovered with primary forest. We have one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world,” he said, adding that the country had monetized part of its forests: “We sold 30 per cent of our forest carbon for $750 million US dollars…”Jagdeo also addressed criticism of Guyana’s expanding oil production, saying economic realities must shape climate policy. “We’re going to be producing about 1.5 to 2 million barrels of oil within the next three years, per day, per day… we want to prove that you can do that and still remain have a sustainable strategy within the country,” he said. “I think we need now more and more to emphasise the economic arguments around climate issues, because you may have a climate outcome, but it’s good economics, and nobody argues with economics.”In a shift toward biodiversity politics, he argued that conservation framing could resonate with skeptics. “We just realised that in many parts of the world, including in the United States, that many people who were climate skeptics may also be strong supporters of biodiversity protection. They don’t believe the climate argument, but the biodiversity argument could be believed.”Focusing on artificial intelligence and its potential to widen global inequalities. “AI will bring great challenges to development, but it can also bring great rewards for development,” he said, warning that smaller states risk falling behind. Consequently, Jagdeo urged international cooperation to help developing nations adopt AI in sectors such as health care and education, citing Guyana’s own experience purchasing an AI medical imaging system without a clear evaluation framework. “We asked the Minister, how do you know that this is the best model… and the answer is, they came first,” he said.The remarks underscored a broader shift in global climate debates, as countries explore regional alliances, biodiversity initiatives and emerging technologies amid uncertainty over major-power leadership.

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Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has placed Police Inspectors at the centre of efforts to modernise policing in Guyana, warning that the success or failure of ongoing reforms will depend largely on leadership and supervision at the station level. Delivering remarks at the opening of the Guyana Police Force Inspectors’ Conference on Wednesday, Walrond told officers that the country’s changing social and economic landscape demands a policing system that is proactive, disciplined, and accountable. Addressing the gathering under the conference theme, “Modern Policing for a Modern Nation: Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Leadership to Strengthen Public Safety and Trust,” the Minister emphasised that the forum was intended to produce operational results rather than symbolic discussions.She noted that Guyana’s rapid development brings new security challenges and said policing standards must evolve to keep pace.“You serve at a defining moment in our nation’s history,” Walrond told the officers, adding that reform within the Police Force will only succeed through stronger supervision and consistent accountability across divisions and stations.The Minister referenced President Irfaan Ali’s eight-pillar framework, aimed at transforming the Police Force, including the integration of the justice system, digital policing, and stronger community partnerships. She stressed that these initiatives will only succeed through effective implementation at the operational level.According to Walrond, Inspectors play a critical role in setting professional standards within the Force, ensuring investigations are properly managed, case files are complete and court-ready, and that technology and enforcement measures are applied fairly and consistently.Meanwhile, she cautioned that policing can no longer remain reactive, noting that economic expansion and population growth may create opportunities for organised criminal activity if enforcement systems are weak.“In 2026, leadership must be visible, measurable and consistent,” she said, adding that public investment in the Police Force must translate into improved crime response, reduced criminal activity and stronger public confidence.Furthermore, Walrond also reminded officers of their responsibilities under Standing Order No. 6, describing it as a guiding framework that defines both authority and duty within the organisation. Consistent enforcement of established standards, she said, remains key to maintaining discipline and improving performance.The Home Affairs Minister further issued a strong warning against corruption, describing it as a threat to national security that thrives where supervision is lacking. She urged Inspectors to maintain strict oversight within their commands while reinforcing professional conduct among ranks.Attention was also drawn to the handling of cases involving vulnerable persons, particularly matters relating to domestic violence and sexual offences. Walrond emphasized that such reports must be handled with urgency and sensitivity to foster public trust in law enforcement.In closing, the Minister said that policies, resources, and strategic direction for modern policing are already in place, but meaningful progress now depends on execution.“What remains is implementation, and that responsibility rests with you,” she told the Inspectors, urging active supervision, improved investigative standards, consistent enforcement,t and zero tolerance for corruption across the Force.

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The Guyana Police Force on Wednesday concluded the first day of its annual Inspectors’ Conference with a series of detailed presentations focused on strengthening operations, intelligence gathering and modern policing practices.The two day conference, which opened earlier today at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, brought together Inspectors from across the country under the theme, “Modern Policing for a Modern Nation: Integrating Technology and Leadership to Strengthen Public Safety and Trust.”During the day’s sessions, Head of the Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, delivered a presentation on intelligence led and data driven policing, outlining the growing role of strategic intelligence gathering and analytical tools in improving operational effectiveness and crime response.Superintendent Raun Clarke, Officer in Charge of Traffic Division 4 ‘A’, provided an overview of traffic operations along with projections aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement, while Superintendent Delon Fraser addressed case management systems, placing emphasis on the use of technology to improve investigative efficiency and case tracking.The day’s proceedings ended with a presentation by Deputy Commissioner responsible for Operations, Errol Watts, who outlined the Force’s operational priorities and ongoing progress in infrastructure expansion and resource management across divisions.Earlier in the day, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken challenged Inspectors to adopt a more hands on leadership approach and provide stronger supervision and guidance to ranks under their command.Addressing the opening of the conference, Hicken said the Force is entering what he described as a new era of policing, supported by active succession planning and the continued implementation of strategic reforms.He noted that policing methods must evolve alongside the rapid social and economic transformation taking place across the country.“The responsibility begins with your leadership. You are the link between policy and practice. At your level, policy becomes action and standards become habit,” the Commissioner told participants, adding that Inspectors play a direct role in shaping discipline, operational performance and public confidence in the institution.Hicken reminded officers that Inspectors serve as standard bearers and ambassadors of the Police Force, stressing that they are expected to remain operationally visible and accountable for the performance of stations and outposts under their supervision.“You are supposed to be on the road, supervising the sergeants and ranks under your command. Anything that happens at your station or outpost, you are responsible,” he warned.The Police Commissioner also pointed to progress under the Force’s 2022 to 2026 Strategic Plan, revealing that approximately 75 percent of the programme has already been implemented. He described the past five years as a period of significant structural reform within the organisation, citing advances in technology driven policing and road safety initiatives which he said are already producing results.The Inspectors’ Conference is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, February 26.

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A 28-year-old East Coast Demerara resident was released on $650,000 bail on Wednesday after being charged in connection with a fatal road accident along the Rupert Craig Highway.Rushana Hopkinson, of Lot 77 Section C, Golden Grove, appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

She faces an indictable charge of causing death by dangerous driving under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Hopkinson, who was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva, was not called upon to plead to the charge during the court appearance.Authorities allege that on February 22, near the MovieTowne area of Greater Georgetown, Hopkinson operated motor car PАМ 4632 in a manner considered dangerous to the public. The incident resulted in the death of 65-year-old Jacqueline Cumberbatch.

Magistrate Gibbs granted bail with conditions, including the regular reporting of Hopkinson to the police and the surrender of her passport. The case has been adjourned to March 30 for report and disclosure.Cumberbatch, a resident of Liliendaal, was reportedly on her way to collect her pension at MovieTowne when she was struck along the highway’s southern carriageway. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Relatives said they were notified of the incident via telephone and discovered her body on the parapet upon arriving at the location.Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of ongoing efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.

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Nazar Mohamed was present in court on Thursday as proceedings continued in his ongoing extradition hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. When asked by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman whether he consented for his lawyer to appear on his behalf in his absence, Nazar firmly replied, “No, madam. I’ll try my best to be here.”The case had previously been adjourned on at least two occasions due to Mohamed’s medical condition. His attorneys had told the court that he was hospitalised with heart-related complications and remained under close medical supervision.He and his son, businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who serves as Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, are contesting extradition to the United States. Both men face serious charges in the Florida court, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, stemming from alleged financial schemes linked to gold exports and other business dealings.Despite his recent illness, Nazar Mohamed’s presence in court allowed the extradition hearing to proceed as scheduled. The proceedings are continuing, with Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, undergoing extensive cross-examination by the defence.The extradition proceedings stem from a request by the United States for the extradition of the Mohameds. They are accused of operating an international criminal enterprise involving alleged gold smuggling, large-scale tax evasion that reportedly cost Guyana approximately US$50 million, wire and mail fraud, and money laundering.The 72-year-old father and his 38-year-old son are facing 11 criminal charges in the U.S. Southern District of Florida and were sanctioned in June 2024 by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.The Mohameds, owners of Mohamed’s Enterprise, remain on $150,000 bail each while the extradition proceedings continue. As part of their bail conditions, they have surrendered their passports and are required to report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station.They are represented by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, along with attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Damien DaSilva.

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The man accused of fatally stabbing 59-year-old father of four Indar Ramotar at Parfaite Harmonie on Sunday has been formally charged and remanded to prison.The suspect, identified as Troy Rodney, appeared before the court on Thursday where the charge of murder was read to him in connection with the February 22, 2026 killing. He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison until March 10, when the matter is expected to continue.Ramotar was brutally killed at a shop along First Avenue, Parfaite Harmonie, between approximately 18:30h and 19:00h on Sunday evening, just three corners away from his home.Relatives previously told reporters that moments before the attack, the suspect shouted, “I come fuh blood,” before entering the shop and launching the fatal stabbing. A family member said the suspect had been standing near a pharmacy across the road before crossing over and carrying out the attack. After the stabbing, the suspect was reportedly beaten by persons in the area before being taken into police custody.Ramotar’s son was alerted and rushed to the scene, where he attempted to stop the bleeding. However, the injured man succumbed at the location before he could be transported to hospital.

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-existing consumers, industrial expansion driving surge

Guyana’s electricity demand is expected to climb dramatically over the next five years, with projections pointing to a staggering 600 per cent increase in generating capacity requirements by 2030.

The disclosure was made by Head of Executive Management at Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Kesh Nandlall, during a panel discussion at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Thursday.

“Peak demand is now at 236 megawatts (MW). By 2030, we estimated it to be 1,650 MW or 1 gigawatt (GW), 650 MW of peak demand output that we’ll have to have generation in place [to meet]…that means 600 per cent increase in our generating capacity from now to 2030,” Nandlall stated.

The current peak of 236 MW represents a doubling from 2020 levels, when demand stood at 120 MW. According to Nandlall, while the customer base has grown, the bulk of the increase stems from higher consumption by existing users and the entry of larger industrial customers onto the grid.

GPL’s customer register moved from approximately 201,000 in 2020 to 244,000 today, a 21 per cent rise. However, the GPL executive stressed that the expansion in housing schemes and industrial development has significantly driven up generation requirements.

“So, that significant growth results from existing customer demand growing and new customers. We talk about the rapid development of the housing sector [and] the development of the industrial sector. So, the grow really is in the generation requirement more than the number of customers. The same customers are demand more and bigger customers are coming on [to the national grid],” he explained.

To keep pace, GPL has ramped up supply over the past five years. Generation output climbed from 903 gigawatt-hours in 2020 to 1,485 gigawatt-hours currently, a 65 per cent increase.

Nandlall noted that more than 186 MW of firm capacity has been added since 2020, including new facilities at Garden of Eden and Colombia, as well as power ships in the Berbice and Demerara rivers. Additionally, 18 MW of solar capacity has been integrated into the grid, alongside smaller systems in Bartica, Wakenaam and Leguan, and mini-grids across hinterland communities.

On the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), the country’s main grid, approximately 260 MW of firm capacity is now available, with expectations that this will rise to around 285 MW this year.

Still, the projected surge far outpaces current capacity. Nandlall acknowledged the urgency of bridging the gap ahead of the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project coming on stream at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

“We have to now equip ourselves to bridge that gap until the end of the year when the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project will come onstream,” he said.

The Wales facility will deliver 300 MW of power through a combined cycle plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility. Government has repeatedly said the project will slash electricity costs by half and improve reliability.

However, with demand expected to multiply over the next five years, even that addition will not be sufficient. Plans are already in train for a second 300 MW plant under GtE Phase Two, which is targeted for commissioning by 2030.

The figures underscore the scale of transformation underway in Guyana, where rapid industrialisation, housing expansion and economic growth are fuelling unprecedented pressure on the national grid.

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“That’s a big deal for Region 6. It’s a big deal for Region 2. It’s a big deal for our nation,” said Minister of Education Sonia Parag, highlighting the expansion of the University of Guyana’s engineering programmes in the two regions.

Speaking at the Johns Science Centre in Region 6, part of the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, Minister Parag called the initiative “significant and a historic day for the Ministry of Education, the Government of Guyana and the University of Guyana.”

The regional programmes will allow students to “remain in their village, remain in their region and be able to access higher education,” the Minister added.

“A number of people have been messaging me as to when the programme is coming in Region 6, Region 2. The students themselves want to remain in their village, remain in their region and be able to access higher education and that’s what we really want to do for our people and our nation.”

The expansion follows a surge in University of Guyana applications after tuition was made free in January 2025.

“Just over 16,000 applications the University of Guyana received in 2025 and as a result, they could not have accommodated by seating all of those persons who applied and who are eligible,” Minister Parag said.

To meet the growing demand, the Government and University have created additional seats in multiple regions. An orientation session was held in Region 2 at the Essequibo Technical Institute, which “will accommodate more than 40 or even 50 students in the engineering field.”

The Region 6 programme is set to accommodate more than 50 students.

Minister Parag said the initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure access to education at all levels.

“We want to give them access, whether it’s at the primary level, the secondary level or the tertiary level and ensure that they do get a higher education, that they are able to be a part of the transformation of this country and so I’m so proud today to be a part of this,” she said.

The PPP/C government has advanced tertiary education in Guyana by making programmes free at the University of Guyana and technical institutes nationwide, while also providing full scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), greatly expanding access to higher education across all regions.

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Guyana is ramping up efforts to train a world-class oil and gas workforce locally, with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali revealing that the government is investing about US$150,000 in each trainee at the newly commissioned Guyana Technical Training Institute (GTTI) in Port Mourant, Berbice.

Speaking on his Tea on the Terrace podcast, the President said the initiative is aimed at ensuring Guyanese are equipped with internationally recognised skills to compete in the rapidly expanding energy sector.

“This is about investing in our people and building a workforce that can compete globally,” he said, noting that each trainee represents a significant national investment.

The modern facility, commissioned on February 15, is designed to remove the need for overseas technical training by offering internationally accredited programmes using industry-standard equipment and advanced simulation systems. Government, he explained, is pouring billions into education and training so that locals are positioned to lead the sector’s growth rather than rely heavily on foreign expertise.

Trainees enrolled in the programme say the impact is already being felt. One student described the training as opening doors to opportunities previously out of reach, while others noted that access to world-class certification locally eliminates the financial and logistical barriers of travelling abroad for similar programmes.

The 18-month training programme, delivered through the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated (GTTCI), focuses on both foundational and advanced skills aligned with operations on Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Training Centre Manager Shaagul Hameeth explained that the institute replicates offshore environments, allowing students to gain practical experience with the same systems used in the industry so they can transition directly into the workforce.

LearnCorp International President and CEO Phil Doody said the move to deliver the programme locally marks a significant step for the region, pointing out that cohorts previously had to travel to Canada for similar training. He described the Port Mourant facility as one of the most advanced of its kind in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith said the investment addresses immediate workforce needs while laying the groundwork for long-term national development. He emphasised that the initiative is not only about filling current vacancies but about preparing a generation of skilled workers to support the country’s energy sector for decades.

The commissioning of the institute forms part of a broader push to strengthen human capital, with the government positioning Guyana as both a producer of energy and a regional hub for technical training.

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NRF climbs to $741.3B at end of January, boosted by oil inflows and interest earningsThe Natural Resource Fund (NRF) closed January 2026 with a balance of $741.3 billion, reflecting a sharp month-to-month increase driven mainly by oil revenues and interest earnings.

According to the Bank of Guyana’s latest monthly statement, the Fund’s closing balance stood at $741,272,728,000 at the end of January, up from an opening balance of $677,711,491,000 at the start of the month. The jump was largely supported by inflows of $38.4 billion in profit oil and $23.1 billion in royalties, along with $2.05 billion in interest income generated from the Fund’s holdings.

The report shows that there were no withdrawals from the Fund to the Consolidated Fund during January, allowing all revenues and earnings for the month to remain in the account and push the balance upward. In total, the NRF recorded a net result of $2.05 billion in investment income for the month, while management fees and other expenses remained at zero.

At the end of January, the Fund’s assets were held entirely in cash and cash equivalents, with the closing balance equivalent to approximately US$3.56 billion, based on an exchange rate of G$208.50 to US$1.

The monthly financial position reflects continued growth in the country’s oil-fund savings as production revenues and investment income continue to accumulate.

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