President Irfaan Ali has set an ambitious agenda for 2026, promising continued economic growth, expanded public services, and enhanced opportunities for all Guyanese. In his New Year’s address, he emphasized a confident transition into a new chapter of national development.
Ali extended New Year greetings to citizens across Guyana, including those in the hinterlands, on duty at borders, caring for the sick, and living abroad. He positioned 2026 as not only a year of hope but one of action and tangible progress for communities nationwide.
Reflecting on the achievements of 2025, the President highlighted significant improvements in daily life, such as the construction of new schools and modern classrooms, increased access to clean water, strengthened household incomes, upgraded hospitals, and enhanced opportunities for women, youth, pensioners, and persons with disabilities. He cited infrastructure projects like the Demerara River Bridge as symbols of a nation increasingly connected and committed to progress.
“The story of Guyana is no longer one of potential alone,” Ali remarked. “It is written in the language of progress made real, of opportunity seized, and of a nation stepping confidently into its moments.”
Looking forward, Ali outlined key initiatives for 2026, aimed at translating economic growth into better livelihoods:
- Establishment of a national digital backbone to enhance the speed, simplicity, and transparency of public services.
- Increased disposable incomes through higher wages, targeted support, and reduced taxation.
- Expanded housing developments to provide secure and dignified homes.
- Community enhancements, including improved roads, lighting, playgrounds, and sporting facilities.
- Growth in manufacturing, tourism, and enterprise, with a focus on cultural and creative industries.
- Expansion of healthcare and water treatment facilities, improved road safety, and strengthened law enforcement through training and resources.
- Introduction of a modern national e-ID system to streamline access to government services.
The President emphasized the role of youth in national development, encouraging them to bring energy, creativity, and ambition to education, entrepreneurship, culture, sport, and public service. “You matter, you are needed, and you belong at the center of our national life,” he asserted, committing to their growth as a cornerstone of Guyana’s future.
Ali also pledged to govern with integrity, discipline, and compassion, prioritizing national interest, responsible resource management, and inclusive development. He called for vigilance amid global uncertainty, assuring the public that the nation would remain prudent and united.
“Let us enter this new year not with timid hope, but with strong conviction,” he declared. “We are no longer waiting for opportunity. We are shaping it. Together, we will build not only wealth but comfort, not only success but legacy.”
In closing, the President urged unity, optimism, and cooperation as guiding principles for 2026, proclaiming, “This will be the year your plans take root and flourish. Onward, upward, together—for a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous Guyana.”
