AGP Executive Report

Aviation Safety & Tech Capacity: CARICOM and ICAO opened a regional aviation safety symposium in Georgetown, with Guyana’s Deodat Indar pushing harmonised rules, shared oversight and stronger technical capacity; Guyana also chairs CASSOS (2026–2028). Aviation Centre of Excellence: Government is seeking an international partner to build and run a Guyana Aviation Centre of Excellence, with $100M already earmarked to train pilots and aviation engineers. Agriculture Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 kicks off under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app as Guyana targets stronger food security and climate-resilient production. Healthy Streets (Georgetown): Works are underway on the first Thomas Street Avenue project under the Healthy Streets Initiative, aiming for a greener, safer corridor. Public Safety Tech: OSRL unveiled new shallow-water well control capability for safer capping stack deployment, and Guyana’s courts are set for more asset-freezing and forfeiture cases as law enforcement “follows the money.” Security & Drones: The US plans $2M in grant aid for high-tech drones to help track illegal narcotics and overflights. Health: GPHC recorded 107 breast cancer cases in the first eight months of 2026.

AI Policy Talks: The Bahamas joined IDB-led regional talks on safe AI adoption, with Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta and others discussing a shared AI strategy, investment rules, digital infrastructure and workforce training. Asset Recovery Push: Guyana’s AG says courts should expect more applications to freeze accounts, detain property and forfeit assets tied to crime, as INTERPOL urges “follow the money” and prosecutors get trained. STEM Inclusion: GCOPD with ExxonMobil launched Phase 7 of Inclusive Innovators, bringing STEM/robotics training to 320 children with disabilities across multiple regions. TVET Tech Upgrade: Education and Tourism ministries met Niagara College on curricula for Guyana’s Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute at Port Mourant, with plans to blend classroom learning, workplace experience and emerging tech. CAD Labs for Schools: Education commissioned AutoCAD labs at Zeeburg Secondary and earlier phases outfitted six schools with laptops and software to modernise industrial tech training. Agriculture Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 kicked off under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app, plus farmers’ markets and Honey Fest. Regional Digital Health: CARICOM moved to advance a regional digital health strategy with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank. Aviation Safety & AI: Guyana hosted a global aviation safety forum and President Ali called for an AI strategy to improve aviation safety, regulation and equity. Siren Crackdown: Traffic authorities urged the public not to bribe officers and highlighted enforcement against unauthorised emergency sirens. Bird Flu Alert: Guyana is on high alert for H5N1 after Suriname reported outbreaks and culling.

Aviation Safety & Tech: President Irfaan Ali opened the ICAO/EASA forum in Guyana, pushing an AI strategy for aviation safety and saying the country is moving toward a Caribbean-wide airspace/EEZ monitoring mechanism. Airport Expansion: Guyana is ready to finalise talks with a major airline to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, with security systems and aviation training support in the plan. STEM in Schools: The Education Ministry commissioned AutoCAD/CAD labs at secondary schools, including Zeeburg and New Amsterdam, to modernise TVET with digital design skills. Agri Innovation: Agriculture Month 2026 launched under “Innovate, Nourish, Grow,” highlighting drones, sensors, precision irrigation and the Farmers Connect app, plus more farmers’ market and Honey Fest activities. Digital Health (Regional): CARICOM, with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank, advanced a regional digital health strategy covering surveillance, workforce and primary care. Public Safety & Integrity: Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh urged the public not to bribe officers, while courts are set to see more asset-freezing and confiscation cases targeting criminal money. Health Security: Guyana is on alert for bird flu after Suriname’s H5N1 outbreak, with quarantine checks and surveillance ramped up.

Aviation & AI: President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is seeking a major airline partner to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, while urging ICAO/EASA to put AI at the centre of aviation safety planning and equity. Digital Health: CARICOM health ministers, with PAHO, IDB and the World Bank, move to advance a regional digital health strategy covering care delivery, surveillance and evidence-based decisions. STEM & Skills: The Ministry of Education commissions a new AutoCAD lab at New Amsterdam Secondary, expanding TVET with practical digital design training; GCOPD also launches Phase 7 of Inclusive Innovators with STEM and life skills clubs for children with disabilities, supported by ExxonMobil. Energy & Power Reliability: GPL presses contractors on electricity project deadlines amid repeated outages. Crime-Finance Courts: Attorney General Nandlall warns courts to expect more applications to freeze, detain and forfeit criminal assets. Sustainable Tourism: Guyana hits 60% compliance on Green Destinations’ Good Travel Seal criteria, with 10 businesses certified and a push to improve visitor experience. MV Barima Update: The COI is set to begin in early October as families protest delays and legal challenges continue. UN Diplomacy: Security Council straw polls show UN secretary-general race still wide open, with Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett among leading contenders.

Aviation & AI: President Irfaan Ali urged stronger AI safety planning at the ICAO-EASA forum, and said Guyana is moving toward a Caribbean-wide tech system to monitor airspace and the EEZ. Air hub push: Government says it’s ready to finalise talks with an international airline to use CJIA Terminal 2 as a global hub, alongside security and training partnerships. STEM & TVET upgrades: New AutoCAD labs were commissioned at New Amsterdam Secondary (and also reported for Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt), part of an $85M push to expand practical digital design training. Inclusive robotics: A visually impaired student, Mekyla Belgrave, showcased hands-on robotics, coding and drone work through an ExxonMobil-funded inclusive STEM programme. Road safety tech: Traffic authorities report a 19% drop in accidents, crediting speed cameras, SRIS e-tickets, and data-led enforcement. Digital connectivity: EllaLink launched the Caribbean Gateway initiative to expand fibre links across the region, targeting service by end-2029. Governance & justice: In the MV Barima case, defence sought a stay of murder proceedings, while the GECOM election fraud trial continued with new claims about SOP handling and server access.

Caribbean Connectivity: EllaLink launched the EllaLink Caribbean Gateway, a new fibre submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, moving from design to committed investment with service targeted for end-2029. Guyana Tech & Skills: The Education Ministry commissioned two new AutoCAD labs at Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt, part of an $85M push to expand Industrial Technology TVET and build digital design skills. STEM Inclusion: ExxonMobil-funded Inclusive Innovators STEM Robotics launched its seventh phase, spotlighting visually impaired student Mekyla Belgrave who built a robot and competed in an inclusive drone/robotics programme. Road Tech Enforcement: Guyana’s SRIS traffic cameras are expanding, with more lanes expected before year-end, while police also seized illegal sirens worth over $2M and warned motorists against bribery. Oil & Frontier Energy: ExxonMobil says it expects to start drilling in T&T’s TTUD-1 block late 2027/early 2028, with seismic imaging expected by end-2026. Regional Diplomacy: Japan is eyeing deeper commercial ties with Guyana after high-level talks on bringing more Japanese companies and advanced technology to the country. UN Leadership Watch: Reports keep spotlighting the UN secretary-general race, with Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett named among leading contenders. MV Barima Aftermath: A family member from Mabaruma rejected a proposed $5M settlement, saying they want justice and won’t sign away rights.

Election Courtroom Tech: GECOM IT manager Aneal Giddings told the fraud trial he didn’t access or tamper with the election server during the 2020 bomb scare, but admitted he had no written permission to stay alone with Statements of Poll for about four hours—raising fresh questions about custody and process. TVET & Digital Skills: NATI welcomed 251 new students for trades like welding, electrical installation, and computer science, while the Education Ministry commissioned new AutoCAD labs at Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt to push 2D/3D design skills for engineering and construction careers. Road Safety Tech: Guyana’s traffic enforcement is getting more automated—SRIS cameras and speed limiters are expanding, accidents are down 19%, and police seized illegal sirens worth over $2M using Safe City/Safe Road systems and public reporting. Inclusive STEM: Visually impaired student Mekyla Belgrave used an Exxon-funded robotics and drone programme to build a robot, code, and compete successfully. Energy & Infrastructure: President Ali says Amaila hydro talks are at evaluation stage, and Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with an Exxon partnership. Regional Payments: Caricom central banks are advancing CAPSS for instant cross-border payments in local currencies, learning from Africa’s PAPSS rollout. Aviation Expansion: Air Services Limited plans Guyana’s first Fixed-Base Operator facility, adding aircraft and 150 local jobs.

UN Diplomacy: Outgoing UN chief António Guterres warns the next Secretary-General will inherit a more fragmented world, with climate change and uncontrolled AI lacking crisis-management mechanisms. Local Tech & Finance: Ksolves India secured a ~$0.5M order from Demerara Bank to implement an agentic AI solution over 7 months. Connectivity for Hinterland: PM Mark Phillips says all 253 Indigenous communities are connected via WiFiGY, improving electricity access through solar and boosting education access like GOAL. Road Tech Enforcement: Police seized illegal sirens worth $2M and plan to operationalise more traffic cameras; 8,000 truck speed limiters have been procured with installation training underway. STEM Pipeline: President Ali says Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with an Exxon partnership. Space for Girls: A Guyanese teen is in India for Mission ShakthiSAT, training for satellite design and coding. Tourism & AI: CTO’s SOTIC 2026 heads to Georgetown (Oct 5–9) with Melissa Noel, as Guyana pushes “digital agenda” tourism while keeping the human element central.

STEM Education Push: President Irfaan Ali says Guyana is moving toward a specialised STEM school with Exxon, aiming to build long-term technical capacity for the next phase of growth. Aviation Infrastructure: Air Services Limited (ASL) plans Guyana’s first Fixed-Base Operator facility, adding VIP handling, maintenance and engineering support for corporate aircraft. Road Safety Tech: Police seized four illegal siren devices worth over $2M, while 8,000 truck speed limiters have been procured and more traffic cameras are set to go live before year-end. Gender + Work Skills: Women are breaking into skilled trades, and labour-law consultations are pushing for equality and non-discrimination as technology reshapes jobs. AI Meets Tourism: World Tourism Day coverage highlights AI and digital tools for smarter, more inclusive tourism—without losing the human touch. Space for Girls: A Guyanese teen is selected for Mission ShakthiSAT in India, training in coding and satellite payload development. Health Systems Focus: Future Health’s UNGA dialogue spotlights prevention-first healthcare, including data, financing, delivery capacity and trusted systems.

Youth Skills & Jobs: Hands United for Humanity launched a $6.5M 12-month Youth Skills Empowerment Initiative for 40 young people, pairing training (computer skills, cosmetology, floral design, makeup, nail tech, cake decorating, elderly care and childcare) with English, maths, communication, small-business lessons, transport and mentoring. Road Safety Push: A new Socially Inclusive, Gender Responsive Road Safety strategy is rolling out for the Linden–Mabura Hill upgrade, including a six-week nationwide speeding campaign and community outreach. Hospital Site Legal Battle: Guyana’s Full Court lifted protective orders blocking the Health Ministry from reclaiming Paediatric/Maternal and New Amsterdam hospital sites tied to VAMED’s €45.3M dispute, while VAMED seeks further appeal. EV Skills for Local Repairers: GEA graduated 25 more electric/hybrid vehicle technicians (102 total), as Guyana’s EV imports near 900 and charging growth needs matching maintenance capacity. Digital Health at UNGA: Future Health convened global leaders in New York to push prevention-first health systems using population data, prevention financing, delivery capacity and trusted care. Space STEM for Girls: A Guyanese teen joined Mission ShakthiSAT in India, training in satellite design and coding as part of a wider push to grow girls’ space opportunities. Workplace Safety: Government launched a Gender Equality in the Workplace initiative and PSEAH training, targeting intimidation and harassment as harmful conduct. Robotics for Inclusive Learning: GCOPD added new robotics clubs for children with disabilities in mainstream schools, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana. UN Data Sovereignty Warning: Leaders warned of “colonisation by data,” arguing developing countries need a stronger voice in AI and data rules.

Oil & Gas Oversight: The Audit Office says it’s trying again to build an oil-and-gas unit after earlier budget efforts were blocked, aiming to strengthen scrutiny as spending and projects grow. Local Content & Skills: Guyana’s Energy Agency graduated 25 EV maintenance and repair technicians (102 trained total) as EV imports near 900 and charging needs expand. Electric Mobility Workforce: GEA’s EV training is paired with standards and safer diagnostics to match infrastructure growth. Workplace Safety: Government launches a Gender Equality in the Workplace push and PSEAH training, targeting intimidation and toxic relationships as harmful conduct. Health Tech & Services: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital names COO Jerri Dias as incoming CEO after Enoch Gaskin’s retirement, citing systems upgrades and ISO certification work. Tech for Inclusion: New robotics clubs for children with disabilities roll out in mainstream schools, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana. UN Diplomacy & Data: UN leaders warn of “colonisation by data,” calling for fair AI rules and protection for local cultures and languages. Criminal Networks: INTERPOL says syndicates now operate like diversified corporate enterprises, urging faster intelligence-sharing. Energy & Business: GuyExpo 2026 is launched with a focus on financing, partnerships, and the upcoming development bank for SMEs.

EV Skills & Mobility: GEA graduated 25 more EV/hybrid maintenance technicians (102 trained total) as Guyana pushes past 900 EV imports and pairs charging plans with local repair capacity. AI & Data Sovereignty: UN leaders warned of “colonisation by data,” urging developing countries to shape AI rules, secure fair access, and protect languages and cultures. HIV Surveillance Upgrade: Health Minister Frank Anthony called for stronger HIV surveillance and diagnosis, citing cross-border movement from Brazil and Venezuela. Inclusive Robotics: GCOPD launched three new robotics clubs for children with disabilities in mainstream schools (Regions 2, 3/4, 6), funded by ExxonMobil Guyana through June 2027. UN Reform & Resource Justice: UNGA coverage highlighted calls to reform the Security Council and ensure resource-rich countries keep more value from critical minerals—“No more plundering, no more exploitation.” GuyExpo 2026: GuyExpo launched with a focus on financing, partnerships, and market access, alongside the planned Guyana Development Bank support for MSMEs. VAMED Hospital Legal Twist: Guyana’s courts cleared the way for the Health Ministry to take over stalled hospital sites, while VAMED seeks further appeal. Digital Government Push: President Ali announced a special diaspora investment vehicle with guaranteed returns and a single mobile app for government services, plus a national payment system.

UN Reform & Diaspora Tech-Driven Growth: Prime Minister Philip Davis and other leaders used the UNGA to push UN Security Council reform, climate justice, and reparatory justice, while Guyana’s own UN push tied reform to real development. UNGA Candidate Politics: President Irfaan Ali dismissed claims the US will veto Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s UN Secretary-General bid, warning of “engineered leaks.” Digital Healthcare Skills: China urged Guyana to pair digital healthcare tech with local skills and better management as a seminar wrapped. Local Tech & Education Investment: UG spent G$7B in early 2026, expanding medicine and engineering access across regions. Health Infrastructure Legal Win: Guyana’s Full Court cleared the Ministry of Health to take over VAMED hospital sites and continue stalled projects. Connectivity Resilience: One Communications restored mobile data and fibre after Carifesta Avenue fibre damage, with permanent repair pending. Local Business & Innovation: GuyExpo 2026 launched to spotlight Guyanese ingenuity, and the Georgetown Chamber urged stronger monitoring and transparency from foreign oil contractors. Community Tech for Health: Region Six expanded purified water access via Project FLOW, and Region Seven is upgrading Upper Mazaruni health facilities.

Judicial Independence: Professor Justice Courtney Abel warned at a regional judges’ conference that modern pressures—like visa restrictions and acting appointments—can “arrange the atmosphere” for rulings, after Guyanese High Court Judge Gino Persaud was blocked from boarding a Miami flight amid a U.S. visa review. Conservation & Climate Tech: President Irfaan Ali told the UN that Guyana will designate about 1.5 million hectares (and separately 3.7 million acres) of largely intact forest in the Rupununi/Acarai-Rupununi corridor as permanent protected areas, boosting biodiversity goals under the 30x30 framework. Digital Healthcare Skills: China’s embassy says Guyana’s digital healthcare push must go beyond buying tech—success depends on training professionals to manage new systems and processes. Health Infrastructure Legal Win: Guyana’s Full Court cleared the Health Ministry to take possession of the Ogle and New Amsterdam hospital sites and proceed after striking down preservation orders tied to VAMED’s dispute. Connectivity Disruption: One Communications restored mobile data and fibre after a Carifesta Avenue fibre cable was damaged during construction; permanent repair is pending. Business & Innovation: GuyExpo 2026 launched to spotlight local enterprise, while GMSA urged stronger consumer support for locally made goods. Water for Schools: Project FLOW expanded purified drinking water to Region Six schools and training centres, reaching thousands of students and teachers. Tourism & AI: THAG president Mitra Ramkumar said AI can help market Guyana, but it can’t replace Indigenous guides and the human warmth behind tourism.

MV Barima salvage pressure: Indigenous rights activist Laura George says Guyana should outsource independent international marine salvage to raise the wreck and preserve forensic integrity, as the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry moves toward public hearings. Transnational crime focus: PM Mark Phillips and INTERPOL leaders stress faster intelligence-sharing across borders as Guyana hosts the INTERPOL Americas conference; Guyana also joins the US-led “Shield of the Americas” push for sanctions and coordinated action against narco-terrorist groups. Protected forests & biodiversity: President Ali says Guyana will designate about 3.7 million acres (1.5 million hectares) of intact forest in the Acarai-Rupununi corridor as protected area, after surveys found new species. Digital government & health: Ali reiterates a single My Guyana app for services next year and a national payment platform; China-Guyana digital health training completes with 42 participants. Energy & climate tech: EV imports near 900 as charging stations expand; GPL invests US$800m and builds a National Control Centre for smarter grid management. Health security: Ali calls for pandemic preparedness as an economic and security priority, while Guyana nears elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Nature-based resilience: Mangroves expand by 324 hectares in 2026, and restored forests are already supporting fish communities.

AI in Healthcare: Guyana is meeting OpenAI to explore responsible AI use for diagnostics, health-data management, training and patient care, as AI is already deployed in 21 facilities with plans to expand. Power Grid Tech: GPL is investing about US$800M to modernise the grid and is building a National Control Centre to monitor power flow end-to-end, while outages hit parts of the country due to faults. Digital Health Training: 42 Guyanese completed a China-Guyana digital healthcare seminar focused on building local capacity under the Health Silk Road. Public Health & Labs: Guyana is nearing elimination of lymphatic filariasis and is pushing disease elimination alongside stronger clinical capacity and lab quality. Pandemic Preparedness Funding: President Ali urged sustained, multi-sector financing for pandemic prevention at UNGA, with PAHO and Africa CDC calling for stronger regional cooperation. Security Tech & Intel Sharing: INTERPOL’s Americas conference in Guyana spotlighted faster intelligence-sharing, including links between drug trafficking and illegal gold mining. Transnational Crime Crackdown: Guyana joined the “Shield of the Americas” push, including sanctions and visa/asset freezes targeting 24 narco-terrorist groups. Energy Investment: US EXIM Bank signaled up to US$550M for Phase Two of Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy project. Climate & Nature Tech: Mangrove coverage rose by 324 hectares in H1 2026, and research finds restored mangroves are quickly supporting fish communities.