President urges unified global climate action, calls for end to Cuba embargo

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday called on world leaders to accelerate action on climate change, warning that global efforts to halve emissions are moving too slowly. He made the remarks during his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

He emphasised that achieving Sustainable Development Goals cannot happen in isolation from climate action.

“Peace, stability, and sustainable development cannot exist in isolation from the urgent need to address climate change, which poses an existential threat to the most vulnerable and to our shared future. Guyana repeats the call for accelerated, unified global action to limit global warming,” the president stated.

“We continue to match our words with actions; protecting our forests, investing in sea and river defences, improving drainage and irrigation, and restoring mangrove ecosystems to protect our people, our land, and our livelihoods and our planet,” he told the august body.

President Ali highlighted Guyana’s achievements in combining economic growth with environmental stewardship. He noted that Guyana was the first country certified under the REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard and a successful seller of carbon credits. He also cited the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit held in Georgetown in July 2025, which brought together countries and stakeholders to advance solutions integrating national development plans, climate strategies, and financial frameworks.

The president urged the international community to provide predictable, accessible climate finance, support adaptation and resilience, and adopt nature-based solutions.

He also addressed the ongoing embargo against Cuba and its listing as a state sponsor of terrorism.

“The time has come for a frank conversation on Cuba; one that would lead to the prosperity of its people, optimising the full potential Cuba offers to its people and the rest of the world. Central to this dialogue is the lifting of the embargo on Cuba and its removal from the list as a State Sponsor of terrorism.”

He stressed that regional prosperity requires collective action and continued efforts to enhance democracy, promote good governance, and respect the will of people in determining governments through free and fair elections.