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With just two days to go before a key milestone in the country’s 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed that all preparations are in place for Nomination Day, set for Monday, July 14 at the historic Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.

The exercise, which will run from 10:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs, will see political parties officially submitting their lists of candidates to contest the elections scheduled for 1st September. GECOM has pledged a smooth, transparent, and orderly process in keeping with the nation’s electoral laws and established guidelines.

Parties intending to contest are reminded to submit their lists within the specified period. The Chief Election Officer will be present to receive submissions, verify documents, and address any clarifications that may arise. An official acknowledgment will be issued upon successful submission of complete nomination packages.

The Commission has underscored the need for all parties, supporters, and stakeholders to strictly observe protocols and respect the democratic process. GECOM has assured that arrangements will support a structured, peaceful, and dignified atmosphere throughout Nomination Day.

Members of the media are invited to cover the event, in line with GECOM’s ongoing commitment to transparency and public accountability.

Political parties and interested persons can access further information by contacting the Commission’s Secretariat or visiting www.gecom.org.gy.

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See full statement issued below:

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana and the Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Georgetown, on June 30 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the provision of commercial services and deepening bilateral trade relations between Guyana and the United States.

This partnership marks a significant step towards fostering a more business-friendly environment and unlocking new commercial opportunities between Guyana and the United States. AmCham Guyana currently provides advocacy, market entry and market development support, investment facilitation and capacity development. The MoU is beneficial for U.S. firms seeking to establish and grow their commercial presence within Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.

The partnership includes a range of facilitation services designed to support U.S. firms with market entry strategies, business matchmaking, and ongoing trade collaboration. The MoU outlines a comprehensive suite of facilitation services that are designed to support U.S. firms with crucial market entry strategies, effective business matchmaking, and robust ongoing trade collaboration.

AmCham Executive Director Richard Leo noted that “AmCham Guyana remains committed to deepening commercial engagement with Guyana, and this partnership reflects our dedication to supporting U.S. businesses while contributing to Guyana’s economic growth and prosperity.”

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Gifford Marshall, who served consecutive terms as Mayor of Bartica under the APNU+AFC coalition, has publicly announced his support for the governing PPP/C and President Dr Irfaan Ali’s bid for a second term.

In a statement on his Facebook page on Saturday, ahead of his 45th birthday later this month, Marshall reflected on his personal journey, Guyana’s transformation and the need for leadership that can adapt to changing times.

“Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking with President Ali at length,” Marshall shared.

“What struck me most was his genuine passion for fostering unity among all Guyanese, his commitment to religious tolerance, and his ambitious vision for infrastructure development.”

Marshall’s endorsement of President Ali is significant given Bartica’s history as an APNU stronghold. The town voted solidly for the coalition at the local government elections prior to 2023 when Marshall held office.

His break with the APNU appears rooted in his belief that the country’s future demands inclusive, visionary leadership — qualities he says President Ali embodies.

“In assessing the path forward for our nation, I believe we need leadership that can harness our tremendous potential while navigating the complexities of our rapidly changing world,” Marshall stated, adding that the President’s “distinguished record of public service” has earned him his full support.

President Ali will officially launch his re-election campaign on Sunday and has signalled his intention to continue his government’s ambitious infrastructure, housing, and unity agenda. Marshall’s defection and endorsement add further momentum to the PPP/C’s efforts to attract support beyond its traditional base.

Marshall concluded his message by extending his best wishes to President Ali for the 2025 elections, declaring: “I endorse President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali for a second term as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

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CARICOM leaders have reaffirmed that no elections were held by Venezuela in Guyana’s Essequibo region, despite Caracas’ claim of staging a “governor” and “legislative council” vote in the territory on May 25, 2025 — an action that directly defied an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order.

Meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, regional leaders underscored their unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling Venezuela’s claims baseless and urging the South American neighbour to comply with international law.

In a clear message to Caracas, CARICOM urged the Venezuelan government to submit its Rejoinder — the final written argument in the ongoing border controversy case — by 11 August 2025, as ordered by the ICJ. The case concerns the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela has long rejected the award and, in recent years, escalated its claims over Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo region — about two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory.

Tensions intensified in late 2023 when Venezuela held a controversial referendum seeking domestic backing to annex Essequibo and later claimed to have created a new “Guayana Esequiba State.” The ICJ ruled in December 2023 that Venezuela must not take any action to alter Guyana’s control of the area while the case is before the Court.

Heads of Government reiterated that the ongoing ICJ proceedings remain the only legitimate and peaceful means to resolve the longstanding controversy. They warned against any acts or rhetoric that could inflame tensions in the Region and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based order.

Guyana, backed by CARICOM and other international partners including the Commonwealth and the Organisation of American States (OAS), maintains that the border is settled and that any attempts by Venezuela to unilaterally annex Essequibo are null and void.

The ICJ is expected to issue a final ruling in the coming years, which Guyana hopes will end the territorial controversy once and for all.

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Guyana has announced that it will host the next INTERPOL Conference in 2026, a move welcomed by regional leaders as they strengthen ties with the world’s largest international police organisation to tackle growing organised crime across the Caribbean.

The announcement came during the recent engagement between Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and His Excellency Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary-General of INTERPOL. Secretary-General Urquiza shared that data collected from INTERPOL member countries confirms that the rise of sophisticated criminal networks, the expanding narcotics trade, and a surge in firearms trafficking are now among the most pressing security threats facing the Region.

The Heads of Government expressed deep appreciation for Secretary-General Urquiza’s presence and insights, acknowledging the vital role of international partnerships in responding to transnational crime. They welcomed the strengthened framework for cooperation through the renewed IMPACS/INTERPOL partnership, which secures the continued presence of INTERPOL’s Liaison Office in Barbados as a hub for coordination and intelligence sharing.

Recognising the need for greater regional capacity to address organised crime, CARICOM leaders requested further assistance from INTERPOL, especially in deploying advanced technology and monitoring systems to bolster border security.

The 2026 INTERPOL Conference in Guyana is expected to further cement this partnership, bringing global law enforcement experts to the country to shape strategies for dismantling organised criminal networks and tackling the flow of illegal guns and drugs into the Caribbean.

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The upcoming Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, to be hosted in Georgetown, Guyana from 23 to 25 July 2025, has received the full backing of CARICOM leaders as part of the Region’s stepped-up efforts to tackle the worsening climate crisis.

This commitment was reinforced during the Forty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where leaders reaffirmed their united stance on climate resilience and sustainable development for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Heads of Government congratulated the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre on its 20th anniversary and recognised its crucial role in supporting Member States on climate action. However, they expressed concern about declining support from some developed countries for the unique challenges faced by SIDS, stressing that CARICOM negotiators must keep advocating forcefully for fair treatment under the global climate agenda.

Leaders called on major economies to urgently scale up their climate ambitions in line with the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake, and to fast-track action to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. They also reiterated support for the Bridgetown Initiative and demanded reforms to the global financial architecture to ensure greater CARICOM representation and access to climate finance.

Rising insurance costs were flagged as a growing barrier to climate resilience and regional competitiveness, with leaders calling for a significant portion of the new US$300 billion climate finance target to be channelled through multilateral funds for adaptation and loss and damage in SIDS.

Heads of Government further approved a Revised Regional Framework prepared by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre to strengthen climate resilience across the Region. They also welcomed a landmark Advisory Opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that recognises the climate crisis as a threat to human rights, providing a legal basis for states to align climate action with their human rights obligations.

The Guyana summit is expected to build on this momentum, uniting stakeholders around biodiversity protection as a vital piece of the Region’s climate response.

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A total of 67 contracts were signed by small contractors from Bartica, Region Seven, for the cleaning of drains, culverts, and road shoulders as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding across the region.

The $132.5 million worth of desilting projects, signed on Friday, are expected to significantly impact the lives of the contractors, boost economic activity, and drive growth in the area.

At the signing ceremony, Adrian Bradford told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the income from his project will go a long way to help him build a home for his family.

“I want to thank the government for this help. As a young father of three with a young wife, we were recently awarded the lease for our land, so this will be a great help for us to actually start constructing our home. Development has already begun, and I can only hope for more,” Bradford said.

Ashanti King, a single mother of two who also supports two brothers, said the income from the initiative will help her to open her own business, and this will improve her financial situation.

“I’m currently working on a small business, and this is going to help me get it off the ground. I’m very grateful for this,” King said.

Another beneficiary, John Campbell, said the government’s previous works in his community, Mora Camp, inspired him to get involved in the initiative.

“Before receiving this award, I saw the work the government did in my community, and that alone gave me the confidence that real transformation is happening in Bartica. This initiative gives me more strength knowing the government is working for us and our town,” Campbell shared.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill announced that all of the awardees are first-time beneficiaries of the programme.

He encouraged the new contractors to carry out the works to the highest standard, stressing the importance of quality delivery.

“What we are doing here today is not just passing by and weeding a corner of a drain and moving on. Your involvement at this level means you are partners in development with the government, working to enhance and improve living standards,” the Minister emphasised.

To ensure the works are executed efficiently and to ease any financial burdens, the government is providing up to 50 per cent of the contract sum as a mobilisation advance.

“So, it means that when you get your money, you have enough money to pay the workmen,” Minister Edghill explained.

The funds will also cover the payment of trucks to remove and properly dispose of waste materials.

Strict penalties will be enforced if contractors dump waste on the shoulders of roads.

Meanwhile, this type of investment is not new to Region Seven; just last year, over 60 small contractors also benefited from similar works.

Minister Edghill reiterated the government’s commitment to providing economic opportunities to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

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