In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Dr Irfaan Ali set out a bold vision for Guyana as both an energy leader and a technology innovator, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Ali positioned Guyana as a small state with big ambitions, producing energy at scale while investing in green technology and digital transformation. He explained that Guyana sees energy production, climate action and artificial intelligence as interconnected drivers of national development and global competitiveness.
“While climate change is an existential threat, the reality is that the world still requires energy,” Ali said. “Energy is essential for the survival of our economies.”
Guyana’s energy sector has expanded rapidly since the discovery of offshore oil reserves, making the country one of the fastest-growing energy producers in the world.
Ali said Guyana is determined to use this resource strategically, balancing its carbon footprint with renewable energy investments.
His vision includes using natural gas as a bridge fuel to transition away from heavy fuel oil; investing in hydropower, solar, wind and other renewable sources; lowering electricity costs for citizens and businesses and ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy.
“Our energy infrastructure investment plan is ambitious and designed to ensure that growth is clean, inclusive and resilient,” Ali told the UNGA.
This balanced approach is central to Guyana’s long-term development strategy and its commitment to the Paris Agreement targets.
Ali moved beyond energy to outline Guyana’s ambition to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence and digitisation. He announced plans for a transformational “AI hyperscale data centre”.
“We will use our strategic geographic location to establish an AI hyperscale data centre,” the President noted.
“This investment will improve the competitiveness of our region, accelerate digitisation, and build a fintech ecosystem.”
The proposed AI hub aims to modernise government service delivery platforms, accelerate private investment, create new job opportunities and strengthen data-driven governance.
“AI and digitisation are accelerating demand for energy at an extraordinary pace,” he said. “We must position ourselves to harness this opportunity responsibly.”
Ali acknowledged the transformative potential of AI, but also raised concerns about equity, access, regulation and ethics.
“There is no clarity on equity, access and applicability regulations. Ethical standards and governance mechanisms are urgently needed.”
In this regard, he welcomed the UN General Assembly’s decision to establish two global AI governance mechanisms, describing it as “a critical step for ensuring that AI serves humanity and not harm it.”
Guyana’s AI strategy, he said, will be guided by principles of inclusivity, transparency, and ethical governance.
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