President Ali thanks Guyanese diaspora at packed Queens reception
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the president set out his government's record and told critics: "we will not bow down to your lies."
NEW YORK, United States. Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali thanked Guyanese in the diaspora for their support at a meet-and-greet reception in New York on September 24, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Speaking to a capacity crowd at the Jericho Palace Banquet Hall in Queens Village, with scores more outside, Mr Ali said their love and motivation made his government work harder.
"We are now in the second phase of transforming our nation," he said. "Guyana is being featured in every conversation, and dialogue across the world."
Government's claims
In an hour-long speech, the president set out his government's record. "Today I can proudly say that over the last five years, we have created 160,000 new jobs," he said, adding that more than 50,000 house lots had been distributed, more than 5,000 kilometres of roads built and over 100 new schools constructed.
He said 60,000 scholarships had been awarded and more than six regional hospitals built, and that the old age pension had been raised. "We removed taxes placed before 2020," he said.
Mr Ali said the IMF, the World Bank and other international indicators described Guyana's economy as "strong, stable, diversified, well managed". He hit back at critics on social media: "we will not bow down to your lies."
He said the government would welcome investors for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, a 165MW run-of-river scheme and the largest planned hydroelectric undertaking in Guyana, and would build a sporting arena to host a World Cup event in 2030.
He said the agriculture sector was booming with a 14 per cent return, that sovereign fund companies had expressed interest in investing, and that Citicorp had recently opened an office in the country. He said Guyana was growing at a rate of 30 per cent and that citizens had opened 60,000 bank accounts in the past six months.
Mr Ali said the people had elected his government in 2025 and promised to work harder so that all Guyanese benefit.
Because of overcrowding, many Guyanese were denied entry. The president apologised and spent an hour outside the venue being photographed with nationals.
His delegation included ministers Sonia Parag, Vickram Bharrat, Robert Persaud, Dr Frank Anthony, Hugh Todd and Ashni Singh. Former US ambassador to Guyana Sarah Lynch and New York State Assemblymember David Weprin also attended.
