The US last evening committed to donating to Guyana all the Pfizer vaccines it needs in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed the lives of 1254 persons here.
The announcement was made by US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch during remarks at the celebration of the 246th anniversary of Independence of the United States at her residence.
“The United States government is prepared to collaborate with Guyana and the Ministry of Health to donate as many Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines as Guyana needs, we are very excited about this. This includes boosters and paediatric doses to fully vaccinate and boost all of Guyana’s adults, adolescents and children…” said Lynch at the beginning of her remarks.
President Irfaan Ali who was present when the remarks were made, accepted the offer when he spoke and informed the US Ambassador that a detailed proposal with the requested information will be provided in a timely manner to her office.
Ali went on to say Guyana does not only value the US relationship but sees it as important and strategic for the promotion of good governance, democracy, global peace, freedom and justice and equality for all.
Lynch in her speech touched on the programmes the US has been a part of to aid in capacity building in areas that need development.
On the security front, she said they recently concluded a critical multi-month port security training for Guyana with inter-agency participation from Guyana’s police, the Revenue Authority, the Customs Anti- Narcotic Unit, the Maritime Administration, and the Coast Guard. The training provided the tools to strengthen container security protocols and increase knowledge of narcotics smuggling typologies, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, she said.
“Our commitment to Guyana is to continue to collaborate with you along this fascinating journey and to reinforce your aspirations to realize a safe and prosperous Guyana for all the people of this beautiful country. As such, our partnership will continue to thrive and grow during these historic times in Guyana,” she underscored.
Ali said Guyana welcomes the undertakings of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on working with countries in the Caribbean to address critical challenges and imperatives currently faced.
“The launch of the US-Caribbean partnership to address climate change is a welcome demonstration of the renewed commitment of the United States, as is the establishment of a high-level committee tasked with developing immediate and concrete solutions to the challenges of energy security, food security, and finance for our region…” he said.
He stated that at the Summit of the Americas, he was able to lay out Guyana’s perspective on the energy sector and the vision of creating a balanced energy sector.
“Guyana stands ready to work in partnership with the United States in these and many other areas as we sit together to ensure that democracy and development will be to the benefit of all people,” he added.
The Biden Administration’s new U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), she said involves new commitments and the integration of climate adaptation and resilience and clean energy programmes across the Caribbean. President Biden also announced the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity as part of efforts to promote an equitable recovery in a hemisphere still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic.
She pointed out that Guyana was one of 20 countries in the hemisphere to sign on to the Los Angeles Declaration, a regional declaration to address the root causes of irregular migration and create a common framework for legal pathways, protection, and humane border management.
Lynch went on to say that the US is more committed and ready to partner with Guyana in achieving its goal in securing its position as the breadbasket of the Caribbean. The US has committed some US$28M under the US Caribbean Zero Hunger Plan to provide food security assistance for the region to aid in their food production goals.
Due to Guyana’s leadership role within CARICOM on agriculture and food security, President Ali will serve as a co-chair of the food security working group along with U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols.
“Guyana is clearly on a unique journey. The United States has been on this journey with you, and we will continue to be with you. Evidence of our enduring relationship lies in both the public and private sectors,” she said.
Lynch added that in 2021, the US exported US$565 million worth of goods to Guyana and imported US$1.7 billion worth of goods from Guyana.
“As important as the oil and gas sector has been to those numbers, U.S. companies are also partnering in infrastructure, agriculture, health care, education, services and tourism. And, these partnerships span into the public sector to help build the government’s capacity to serve its people,” she stated.
“Going forward, we will continue to partner with you on inclusive democracy, economic development, and citizen security for all Guyanese, and to promote the public values of – transparency, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility – values that inform policies reflecting good governance and a participatory democracy where all voices are heard,” she stated.
