-as the nation celebrates 60 years of Independence
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Monday night declared that Guyana has transformed from a fragile, dependent nation into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a rising force on the global stage.
Addressing the national anniversary ceremony, President Ali said Guyana’s transformation over the last decade has positioned the country among the world’s leading economies and reshaped how the nation is viewed internationally.
“We are today the fastest growing economy on earth. Not in this hemisphere, not in the Caribbean, but on the entire planet,” the President said.
According to the President, Guyana’s per capita income, which stood at US$344 at the time of Independence, is projected to approach US$38,000 by 2028.
“In a single decade we have leapt from the margin into the front ranks of the world economy,” he stated.
The President also pointed to major investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education and housing, while noting that the national budget surpassed one trillion dollars for the first time in the country’s history.
“Our nation is transformed by what it builds for its people,” he said.
President Ali further argued that Guyana’s development has strengthened its standing internationally, pointing to the country’s leadership roles within the United Nations and its advocacy for small states and developing nations.
“We are no longer forgotten. We are a force, and we are here to stay,” the President declared.
At the same time, he urged Guyanese to safeguard national unity as the country continues its rapid transformation, warning against division and political hostility.
“One Guyana does not mean we are all the same. It means we are all equal,” he said.
The President called on citizens to move forward with confidence as Guyana enters what he described as a new era of prosperity and global relevance.