Belize and Guyana have committed to strengthening agricultural cooperation and dismantling long-standing regional trade barriers, as President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana urged Caribbean nations to create a fairer, more integrated food system that protects farmers and secures regional food sovereignty.
Addressing a Joint Sitting of Belize’s National Assembly in Belmopan on Monday during an official state visit, President Ali said the Caribbean must no longer allow bureaucracy and artificial trade barriers to undermine regional agricultural production, especially as small states invest heavily in food security.
“When we make the human, financial and technological investments in agriculture, the region must in turn have a fair trade system—one in which our production is not subjected to artificial barriers that disadvantage our farmers,” President Ali told lawmakers.
President Ali described Belize and Guyana as natural partners—both mainland CARICOM states, richly endowed with land, water, and biodiversity, and uniquely positioned to lead regional food production.
He said the two countries share a common history of colonization, a firm commitment to democratic governance, and a joint responsibility to safeguard environmental assets that are critical not only to national development but also to global climate stability.
“Belize and Guyana possess some of the most environmentally significant ecosystems in the Caribbean,” he said, noting their role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and climate regulation. “These assets carry global value, and that value must translate into benefits for our people.”
The Guyanese leader emphasized that environmental stewardship and agriculture must go hand in hand, pointing to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and the monetization of forest conservation through carbon credit mechanisms.
President Ali warned that climate change, supply-chain disruptions, and volatile global markets have exposed Caribbean economies to repeated shocks, making regional food production and trade reform more urgent than ever.
He called for CARICOM states to collectively remove non-tariff barriers, harmonize standards, and prioritize regional agricultural goods.
“For too long, the region has taken our farmers and our food systems for granted,” he said. “We must push back hard enough to ensure that our food becomes regional food, supported by systems that encourage and protect our producers.”
Ali reiterated CARICOM’s goal of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2030, saying sustained investment in modern agriculture, climate-resilient farming, improved logistics, and value-added agro-processing is essential.
He also signaled Guyana’s readiness to partner with Belize in adopting new technologies, improved crop genetics, and resilient farming systems, drawing lessons from countries such as Brazil.
Beyond agriculture, President Ali framed regional integration as a strategic necessity for small states navigating an increasingly uncertain global environment.
He stressed that regional cooperation does not weaken sovereignty but strengthens it by allowing small nations to negotiate from a position of confidence and speak with a unified voice on global issues.
“Regional cooperation is not a surrender of sovereignty,” he said. “It is a reinforcement of sovereignty.”
He highlighted the importance of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), democratic institutions, and multilateral engagement, especially for states with limited economic and military power.
Belize Prime Minister John Briceño, welcoming President Ali, underscored the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries and highlighted Belize’s confidence in Guyana as a key regional partner.
He described Belize and Guyana as the agricultural powerhouses of CARICOM and said Belize sees Guyana as an assured market for Belizean agricultural products, including refined sugar.
Prime Minister Briceño also reaffirmed both countries’ unwavering commitment to democracy, multilateralism, respect for international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, including ongoing territorial matters before the International Court of Justice.
“Our future is inextricably linked by our shared histories and the challenges we face today,” Briceño said. “Together, we will unlock the possibilities our peoples deserve.”
President Ali was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and Colonel Sheldon Howell, MSM. The visit marked a significant moment in Belize–Guyana relations and reinforced both countries’ intention to deepen cooperation in agriculture, trade, climate action, and regional development.
As the Caribbean faces mounting climate and economic pressures, both leaders signaled that stronger regional integration—rooted in food security, fair trade, and shared values—will be central to securing a more resilient future for their peoples.
The post Guyana, Belize call for agricultural integration and removal of regional trade barriers appeared first on News Room Guyana.
