In recognition of his outstanding contributions to food security and sustainable development, President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana has been presented with the prestigious Leadership in Food Security and Sustainable Development award by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
President Ali, who is leading CARICOM’s ambitious initiative to reduce food imports by 25% by 2025 and positioning Guyana as a global leader in food production, is the first recipient of this esteemed award from the institution.
During the ceremony, President Ali affirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to expanding agricultural food systems to advance regional food security objectives. He expressed his gratitude to IICA for this significant recognition.
Later, President Ali engaged in bilateral discussions with the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, with a special emphasis on climate, energy, and food security.
President Ali’s visit also included a guided tour of the IICA headquarters in Costa Rica, where he witnessed cutting-edge applications of STEM in agriculture, technology, and research.
Assuring President Ali of IICA’s dedication to collaborating with Guyana and the wider Caribbean region, IICA’s Director General Manuel Otero pledged to work towards elevating agriculture and food production.
Seizing the opportunity, President Ali extended an invitation to the agency to participate in the upcoming Agricultural Investment Forum scheduled for later this month in Guyana.