At a Glance
Alliances & Memberships
- UN
- CARICOM
- Commonwealth
- OAS
Foreign Policy Overview
Oil boom (ExxonMobil); Venezuela's Essequibo claim escalated 2023-24; UNSC non-permanent member 2024-25.
Key Positions on Major Issues
Defends Essequibo (ICJ case); climate-positive oil narrative; CARICOM leadership.
UN Voting Record Notes
Pro-Western on Venezuela; pro-Palestine humanitarian.
Economy & Trade
Guyana is currently the world's fastest-growing economy due to the massive offshore oil discoveries in the Stabroek Block, transitioning from an agricultural base (sugar, rice) to an energy powerhouse. GDP growth exceeded 30% in 2024, with crude petroleum now accounting for over 80% of total exports. Key trade partners include the United States, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, while the economy remains anchored by the Guyanese Dollar (GYD). Despite the oil boom, the government faces the challenge of diversifying the economy to avoid 'Dutch Disease' and improving infrastructure.
Military & Security
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is a small professional force of approximately 4,000 active personnel, focused primarily on border integrity and maritime patrol. Given the ongoing territorial claim by Venezuela over the Essequibo region, Guyana has significantly increased its defense cooperation with the United States and the United Kingdom. Guyana maintains a non-nuclear status and follows a defensive doctrine centered on international law and collective security via the RSS (Regional Security System). Defense spending has seen a strategic uptick to modernize coast guard and surveillance capabilities following the 2023-2024 border escalations.
Recent History
Following decades of ethnic-based political tension between the PPP/C and PNCR parties, the 2015 discovery of vast oil reserves by ExxonMobil fundamentally altered Guyana's trajectory. A constitutional crisis occurred in 2020 following a disputed election, eventually resulting in the inauguration of President Irfaan Ali. Since late 2023, Guyana has faced an existential threat due to Venezuela's 'Consultative Referendum' and subsequent claims to annex the Essequibo region, leading Guyana to seek intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Domestically, the government is utilizing its sovereign wealth fund to modernize national infrastructure and healthcare. Globally, Guyana has used its 2024-2025 UN Security Council seat to champion the concerns of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
International Memberships
- CARICOM (Caribbean Community)since 1973
Founding member and host of the Secretariat in Georgetown.
- United Nations Security Councilsince 2024
Elected as a non-permanent member for the 2024-2025 term.
- Organization of American States (OAS)since 1991
Active participant in regional security and human rights frameworks.
- Mercosur (Associate Member)since 2013
Full member, cooperating on regional socio-economic development.
MUN Negotiation Profile
CARICOM / G77 + China / Commonwealth
Multilateralist, rules-based, and focused on legal arbitration (strong reliance on the ICJ).
- Any compromise on territorial sovereignty over the Essequibo region.
- Cessation of offshore resource extraction rights.
- Interventionist policies that bypass CARICOM consensus.
- "Upholding the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award as the final settlement of the border with Venezuela."
- "The necessity of 'Loss and Damage' funding for Caribbean nations facing climate-induced rising sea levels."
- "Equitable distribution of global energy transition costs while allowing developing nations to leverage natural resources."