On January 30, Military leaders from the Caribbean and the United Kingdom convened in Guyana for the United Kingdom and Caribbean Heads of Defense Conference 2024.
The Conference serves as a platform for addressing current and emerging security threats to the region and will allow for insight into the UK’s strategic perspective to provide support to the region.
The conference was jointly hosted by the Guyana Defense Force and the United Kingdom, under the stewardship of the United Kingdom Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, and Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan.
Among the other Military leaders present were representatives from Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and other Caribbean Nations. The conference marks a pivotal moment in fostering collaboration among nations.
The President and Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Irfaan Ali emphasized the significance of the conference, stating that the output from the discussions will elevate policymakers’ understanding from a defense perspective.
He proposed the formation of a document that encompasses a holistic view of threats, acknowledging the intricate relationship between security and development.
Also in attendance during the opening were Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Robeson Benn; National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia; High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana, Her Excellency Jane Miller; and other Senior Officers of the Joint Services.