Military leaders from the Caribbean and the United Kingdom are currently in Guyana for the United Kingdom and Caribbean Heads of Defence Conference 2024, a release from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said yesterday.
Hosted jointly by the GDF and the United Kingdom, under the leadership of the United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, the conference marks a key moment in fostering collaboration among nations.
Khan welcomed counterparts from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and other Caribbean nations during his opening remarks. The conference was declared open yesterday by President and Commander-in-Chief, Irfaan Ali.
The release said that President Ali emphasized the conference’s significance against the backdrop of Guyana’s historical context and the global landscape. He articulated his vision for the discussions to yield a comprehensive document addressing the multifaceted threats while considering the complexities of development.
The President said the output from the discussions will heighten policymakers’ understanding from a defence perspective. He proposed the compilation of a document that encompasses a holistic view of threats, acknowledging the intricate interplay between security and development.
The release said that the UK-Caribbean Heads of Defence Staff Conference serves as a platform for addressing current and emerging security threats to the region. It facilitates in-depth analysis of issues impacting regional security, including humanitarian assistance, disaster response cooperation, and gaining insights into the UK’s strategic perspective on providing support.
The military officers will also explore several initiatives aimed at boosting the collective response to evolving security challenges.
In attendance during the opening were Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia; High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana, Jane Miller; and senior officers of the Joint Services.
In recent months, Guyana has stepped up defence diplomacy as a means of containing Venezuelan aggression over the border controversy between the two countries.
