At the invitation of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica paid an Official Visit to Guyana on 25 and 26 June 2026.
The Most Honourable Prime Minister was accompanied by Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and senior officials. His Excellency the President was accompanied by the Honourable Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, other Cabinet members and senior officials.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness engaged in discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues. The two leaders examined the relations between their two countries, reviewed progress in the implementation of previous undertakings and committed to further action and practical measures to deepen and advance their bilateral cooperation and the regional integration agenda.
They underlined their mutual commitment to further strengthen the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between their two countries and peoples and to advance a strategic partnership for the future, aimed at enhancing integration, promoting sustainable development, and advancing the wellbeing of their peoples.
The two leaders discussed areas of strategic cooperation between Guyana and Jamaica, including agriculture and food security, energy, science, technology and innovation, including robotics for health care, education through training and development, tourism, including training and eco-tourism, trade and investment, defence and security, financial services and capital market development infrastructural development, as well as opportunities for greater private sector collaboration and investment.
The two leaders also committed to advancing cooperation on project oversight, inventory management with a focus on the health sector, road safety and traffic management, as well as development application processes.
As a demonstration of their commitment to deepen cooperation and advance the strategic partnership between their two countries, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the following instruments:
- Protocol Amending the Agreement on Economic, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Government of Jamaica.
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Government of Jamaica on Bilateral Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture
- Memorandum of Understanding between Guyana Defence Force and Jamaica Defence Force on Defence and Security Cooperation.
- Memorandum of Understanding on the development of financial services between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Government of Jamaica.
The leaders also committed to reinvigorating the Joint Commission for Economic Technical and Cultural Cooperation to advance implementation of agreed initiatives and to pursue new ones.
At the regional level, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional integration within the Caribbean Community and pledged to work together and with other leaders to advance implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. They also reiterated their commitment to collaborate in advancing the region’s food security agenda, having regard to the 25 by 2025 plus 5 initiative.
Noting that natural disasters negatively impact growth and development in the Caribbean region, they undertook to enhance capacity in disaster management and acknowledged the importance of strengthened measures to combat climate change. They also recognised the Global Biodiversity Alliance as a mechanism for protecting ecosystems and mitigating climate change and President Ali was pleased to welcome Jamaica as the latest member of the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
The leaders stressed that respect for international law, human rights, democracy, social justice, the rule of law, and sustainable development are critical pillars for a peaceful and prosperous region. To this end, they reiterated their unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Caribbean region remains a Zone of Peace and Cooperation.
President Ali expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Holness and the Government of Jamaica for their consistent and principled support on the Guyana/ Venezuela Border Controversy and provided an update on the matter before the International Court of Justice. The two leaders also underscored their adherence to the United Nations Charter and International Law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The two leaders reaffirmed the commitment of their countries to the strengthening of multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing the major challenges of our times. In this context, Prime Minister Holness expressed Jamaica’s full support for Guyana’s candidature for the post of Secretary-General to the United Nations in the person of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, which the two leaders welcomed as a positive development for the region.