AGP Executive Report

Mining Enforcement: Five non-nationals, including Venezuelans, were detained in Potaro after an illegal mining operation was found; equipment and gold were seized, and GGMC and the police say enforcement will continue with full consequences for lawbreakers. Gold Deal: Guyana signed a ten-year mineral agreement with Canadian Mako Mining for the Eagle Mountain Gold Project near Mahdia, setting legal and fiscal stability and pointing to construction in 2027 and production by end-2028, subject to approvals. Uranium Oversight: EPA exempted U92 Energy’s Kurupung uranium exploration from an EIA, stressing it’s not approval for mining and that permits are still required. Water & Climate Stress: GWI issued an El Niño water-conservation advisory urging shorter showers, fixing leaks, and cutting wastage as dry conditions strain supplies. Education Tech: The Ministry of Education launched a digital reporting platform so schools can log issues (including water and sanitation) and get faster intervention. Biodiversity & Wildlife Trade: Florida proposed stronger sloth import rules after reports that dozens of wild sloths from Guyana died at a tourism attraction. Tourism & Nature Economy: President Ali will keynote Guyana’s hosting of the Caribbean tourism conference in October, with a focus on smart, sustainable, inclusive growth.

Water & Drought Preparedness: Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) issued an El Niño advisory urging households to cut waste fast—fix leaks, take shorter showers, turn off taps, run full laundry loads, and use buckets for outdoor cleaning to protect freshwater supplies. Electricity Reliability: GPL says it will add 5 MW to the national grid, but questions linger as blackouts and grid strain continue while the Wales gas-to-energy project faces delays. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Natural Resources reports five non-nationals detained in Potaro after an illegal mining operation was found; equipment and gold were seized, with enforcement and deportations continuing. New Gold Investment: Canada’s Mako Mining signed a mineral agreement for the Eagle Mountain gold project near Mahdia, with construction expected in 2027 and production targeted for end-2028, subject to approvals. Food Security & Climate Cooperation: Qatar and Guyana signed an MoU to boost cooperation in agriculture and technology, including crops, livestock, fisheries, and modern farming know-how. Wildlife & Health Watch: Florida proposed stronger sloth import protections after mass sloth deaths tied to a tourism facility that previously imported sloths from Guyana. Sanitation Integrity: Education Ministry rejected social media claims about Mahdia Primary School toilets, saying photos showed old, locked washrooms—not the newly rehabilitated WASH facilities in use.

Gold & Mining Oversight: Mako Mining signed a mineral agreement with the Guyana government for the Eagle Mountain gold project near Mahdia (about 5,050 hectares), with construction expected to start in Q3 2027 and production targeted for end-2028, while the Natural Resources Ministry also reported arrests of five non-nationals in Potaro after an illegal mining operation was found, with equipment and gold seized. Electricity & Climate Stress: Guyana Power and Light will add 5MW to the national grid, but questions linger as blackouts continue and the Wales Gas-to-Energy project faces delays; meanwhile GWI urged residents to take shorter showers and fix leaks as El Niño-driven dry weather strains supplies. Food Security & Agriculture: Local and international experts met to discuss food security and sovereignty, and Qatar–Guyana MoUs aim to boost cooperation in agriculture and technology, including crops, livestock, and fisheries. Sanitation & Accountability: The Education Ministry dismissed social media claims about Mahdia Primary School toilets, saying the photos showed old, locked facilities; Human Services Minister Persaud pushed for faster, better-coordinated responses to child sexual abuse and rape. Biodiversity & Regional Health: Guyana assumed Pro Tempore Presidency of the Amazon health commission, with a focus on digital health, emerging diseases, and intercultural medicine. Energy Prices & Risk: Brent crude pushed above $100 amid Middle East supply fears, a reminder of how global shocks can quickly hit local costs.

WTO Fish Subsidies: WTO talks to end harmful fish subsidies face a fresh setback as the US, India and Indonesia oppose the draft “Fish 2” text, with Guyana’s WTO ambassador Leslie Ramsanny chairing negotiations that must land a deal by 2029. Noise & Enforcement: Police arrested several people after a late-night Kitty car wash disturbance, as the GPF and EPA step up joint action on noise pollution. Indigenous Livelihoods: Indigenous craft makers say Guyana Development Bank financing could help turn traditional skills into sustainable businesses and expand market reach. Health in the Amazon: Guyana took over Pro Tempore Presidency of CESAM, pushing regional work on digital health, environment and gender equity, emerging diseases, and intercultural medicine. Digital Trade Gap: A World Bank/IDB/WTO report warns Guyana risks falling behind in digital trade due to weak trade commitments and integration into global rules. Electricity Crisis: Former Public Works Minister David Patterson blasts the PPP for worsening power woes and “inexcusable” mismanagement. Oil Price Pressure: Brent crude jumped back above US$100 amid Middle East supply fears, raising costs that can ripple into Guyana’s economy. Qatar-Guyana Cooperation: Qatar and Guyana signed MoUs on agriculture and technology, while leaders frame ties as a “partnership of purpose.” Maritime Safety: Three companies bid to salvage the MV Barima after its July 2026 sinking.

Digital Trade & Connectivity: A new IDB/World Bank/WTO report warns Guyana could fall behind in the fast-growing digital economy, citing gaps in trade commitments, digital infrastructure, logistics and fit with international digital-trade rules. Electricity Woes: Former Public Works Minister David Patterson says GPL’s power problems reflect “inexcusable” government mismanagement, arguing excuses have piled up while outages keep worsening. Oil Revenue Safeguards: Former EPA head Dr. Vincent Adams urges President Ali to ring-fence future Stabroek Block projects so Guyana’s profit share doesn’t slide again, criticizing Exxon’s “one bucket” approach to costs. Amazon Health Cooperation: Guyana takes over the Pro Tempore Presidency of CESAM, setting priorities including digital health, environment and gender equity, plus emerging diseases and intercultural health. Housing & Land Use: The Housing Ministry begins engagement with Riverview residents, while CH&PA issues a contravention notice over unauthorised container storage at Herstelling. Environment & Skills: Seventeen Rupununi loggers complete reduced-impact logging training, and GOGEC plans to expand energy education for 1,500+ secondary students. International Partnerships: Guyana and Qatar sign MoUs to boost cooperation in agriculture and technology, with leaders also discussing investment and climate/biodiversity links. Maritime Safety: Three companies bid to salvage the MV Barima after its July 2026 sinking. Energy Prices Watch: Brent crude pushes above $US100 amid Middle East supply fears—another reminder of how global conflict can ripple into local costs.

Guyana–Qatar Diplomacy: President Irfaan Ali says ties are evolving into a “partnership of purpose,” with cooperation expanding across investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and climate/carbon-credit work, highlighted during Guyana’s 60th Independence celebration in Doha. Power & Heat Stress: Guyana Power and Light urges customers to avoid overloading the grid during El Niño heat by not increasing fuse amperage without permission and setting ACs around 25°C to cut demand and prevent blackouts. Amazon Health Governance: Guyana takes the temporary presidency of CESAM, aiming to operationalise sub-commissions on digital health, environment, gender equity, emerging diseases and intercultural health. Forest Stewardship: Seventeen Rupununi loggers complete reduced-impact logging training under the Sustainable Landscape Project, supporting better forest management in local communities. Mining Land Rights: GGMC withdraws from mediating the Chinese Landing Village–miner Wayne Vieira dispute, citing developments that made mediation ineffective, as environmental and security concerns persist. Wildlife Trade Warning: A report flags rising Amazon wildlife sales in Bangkok markets, pointing to laundering routes and serious animal welfare risks. Energy Education: GOGEC plans to train 1,500+ secondary students nationwide on the petroleum value chain and environmental compliance, with modules spanning HSE and clean-energy exposure. Housing Enforcement: CH&PA orders removal of unauthorised shipping containers stored on a residential lot in Herstelling, citing safety and planning violations.

Electricity Sector Fallout: Former APNU minister David Patterson blasted the PPP government’s electricity management, saying outages persist and major energy projects stall despite “hundreds of billions” spent, including criticism of generating set procurement and leased power ships. Grid Stress in El Niño Heat: Guyana Power and Light urged customers to avoid overloading the distribution grid during peak hot weather, including guidance on AC settings and fuse/amperage changes. Sustainable Forestry Training: Seventeen Rupununi loggers completed a Reduced Impact Logging course, building local skills in forest management planning, directional felling and safety. Land Rights Mediation Ends: The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission withdrew from mediating a Chinese Landing village land dispute, citing developments that made talks ineffective. Housing Enforcement: CH&PA moved against unauthorised container storage at Herstelling, ordering removal within a week over safety and planning violations. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama announced BritCham funding for three years to support biodiversity work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance. Wildlife Trade Warning: A report highlights rising Amazon wildlife sales in Bangkok markets, pointing to trafficking routes and animal welfare risks. Energy Skills for Students: The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber will expand training for 1,500+ secondary students across 60+ schools, covering petroleum value chains, clean energy and environmental compliance. Disaster Resilience Milestone: CDEMA marked 35 years of regional disaster coordination, pledging continued strengthening against climate-linked threats.

Power Reliability & Heat Demand: Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is urging customers to avoid overloading the “failing” distribution grid during El Niño peaks by notifying the utility before increasing loads, not raising fuse amperage without permission, and setting ACs around 25°C (instead of 16°C) to cut demand and prevent blackouts. School Safety & Sanitation: Indigenous rights activist Laura George says D.C Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong has reopened with rotting buildings and unsafe conditions, with hundreds of students reportedly using pit latrines while teachers use sanitary blocks. Climate Finance Reality Check: A global editorial warns the world has broken the 1.5°C promise, pushing small climate-vulnerable states to face rising risks and heavier borrowing burdens for damage they didn’t cause. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama International Centre says BritCham will fund its biodiversity work for three years under the Global Biodiversity Alliance, supporting education, research, and sustainable forest management. Oil Refinery Debate: Energy voices caution Guyana against a 30,000 bpd refinery plan, arguing for larger capacity options to better meet local fuel needs and reduce import costs. Youth & Community Development: GCCI launched a Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17, and Guyana’s GOAL Sports Scholarships programme links education with ongoing athletic development.

School Safety in Region 7: D.C Caesar Fox Secondary in Waramadong reopened with urgent repairs still needed, with indigenous rights activist Laura George warning that rotting buildings and students forced to use pit latrines put children at risk. Climate Accountability: A new global commentary says the world has broken the 1.5°C promise, arguing small climate-vulnerable states shouldn’t be pushed deeper into debt for damage they didn’t cause. Biodiversity Conservation Pact: Iwokrama and BritCham signed a biodiversity conservation cooperation agreement, with annual funding for three years to support work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance. Oil, Power and the Environment: Opposition and energy debates continue around Guyana’s refinery plans and grid integration for Linden, while Brazil’s Ibama cleared Petrobras for additional deep wells in the Foz do Amazonas basin—raising fresh scrutiny of environmental risk in the region. Youth and Community Development: CDB rolled out a Caribbean-wide push to improve mathematics proficiency, and GCCI launched a Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17, aiming to build future local business capacity. Public Health at Events: CANU warned of rising reports of illicit drugs, excessive alcohol, and possible drink spiking at social events, urging safer conduct by patrons and organisers.

Oil & Refining Debate: President Irfaan Ali pushes a national oil company concept tied to domestic refining, but energy expert Marta Jara warns Guyana should consider a larger 300,000–500,000 bpd refinery instead of 30,000 bpd, especially since Guyana currently produces oil yet imports fuel at world prices. Climate Finance Pressure: A new commentary says the world has already broken the 1.5°C promise, leaving small climate-vulnerable states facing rising extreme weather and ecosystem damage while still having to borrow heavily to recover. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama International Centre secured three years of annual funding from BritCham under the Global Biodiversity Alliance, supporting education, research, sustainable forest management and livelihoods. Law & Regional Access: Guyana’s Council of Legal Education sod-turning marks construction of a new regional law school at UG Turkeyen, aimed at easing long-standing legal training shortages for students across the Caribbean. Public Safety Warning: CANU warns party-goers about illicit drugs, excessive alcohol and possible drink spiking, urging people not to accept substances from strangers and to seek help immediately. Education & Youth Pathways: CDB unveiled a regional push to improve mathematics proficiency across Caribbean schools, while GCCI launched a Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17 to train young people for modern business and tech. Wildlife Feature: A “Interesting Creature” profile highlights the red squirrel’s rarity, habitat and food-storing habits.

Climate Finance & Losses: A new UNEP warning says the world has already broken the 1.5°C promise, putting small climate-vulnerable states at risk while they still face heavy borrowing to recover from damage. Oil Refinery Debate: Two fresh takes question Guyana’s refinery push—one warns President Ali’s “ecosystem” needs clear ownership and costs, while an energy expert cautions against a 30,000 bpd plan and suggests larger capacity to better match fuel demand. Regional Education Boost: The CDB rolled out its IMPACT maths programme across the Caribbean, while Guyana also launched the GOAL Sports Scholarships to help athletes pursue education alongside sport. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama secured three years of funding from BritCham under the Global Biodiversity Alliance to support conservation, research, and awareness. Youth & Skills: GCCI launched a Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17, and the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps named Janet Simon as Dean, focusing on nutrition, mental health, and youth pathways. Local Agriculture Push: DDL received 473 pregnant heifers to expand its Moblissa dairy herd, scaling up toward commercial milk production. Sports & Community: Archery Guyana added MVP Sports as sponsor for the 2026 Caribbean Development Championships in Guyana.

Youth & Education: The GOAL Sports Scholarships Programme was launched to help athletes pursue higher education alongside training, mentorship and career support. Youth Entrepreneurship: The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) kicked off its inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17, with workshops spanning the orange economy, tourism, agro-processing and AI-enabled business. Law & Justice: Guyana turned the sod for a new Council of Legal Education law school at the University of Guyana, aiming to expand regional access to legal training. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama announced BritCham will fund its biodiversity work for three years under the Global Biodiversity Alliance. Public Safety: CANU warned partygoers about illicit drugs, excessive alcohol and possible drink spiking, urging people not to accept substances from strangers. Online Harm: The Ethnic Relations Commission reported a rise in ethnic hate speech warnings on social media. Agriculture & Food Security: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Guyana is helping CARICOM move toward a 25% food import reduction target by 2030. Energy & Environment: Brazil’s Ibama cleared Petrobras to drill three new deep wells in the Foz do Amazonas basin, renewing debate over environmental risks.

Oil & Governance: PNC/R leader Aubrey Norton says Guyana’s borrowing must end and wants a clear cap tied to income, arguing the Natural Resource Fund should guide spending without indebting future generations. Power & Hinterland: APNU rejects plans to integrate Linden into the national grid by 2029, warning residents could face uncertainty over generation, distribution and electricity costs. Education & Sport: The GOAL Sports Scholarships Programme launches to let athletes pursue higher education alongside training and mentorship, with support aimed at post-retirement employment. Youth & Entrepreneurship: GCCI kicks off its inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference for ages 10–17 on Sept. 12, with workshops spanning the orange economy, tourism, agro-processing and AI-enabled business skills. Biodiversity Partnership: Iwokrama and BritCham sign a biodiversity conservation pact, with annual funding for three years to support work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance. Public Safety: CANU warns partygoers about illicit drugs, excessive alcohol and possible drink spiking, urging people not to accept substances from strangers and to seek help fast. Legal Education: Guyana sod-turns its first Council of Legal Education law school at UG’s Turkeyen campus, designed to serve regional students and ease long-standing access gaps.

UN Leadership Scrutiny: As António Guterres’s term ends in Dec 2026, coverage of the next UN Secretary-General race is being criticized for missing the bigger picture: a geopolitical stress test for multilateralism at a moment the system is least able to absorb shocks. Oil & Environment Watch: Brazil’s Ibama has cleared Petrobras to drill three new deep wells in the Foz do Amazonas basin, a move that revives the push-pull between reserve replenishment and environmental risk in a sensitive Amazon-adjacent area. Regional Law & Access: Guyana has sod-turned its long-awaited Council of Legal Education law school at the University of Guyana, aiming to expand legal training for students from across the Caribbean. Mining Governance: The GGMC warns against unauthorized selling or transfer of mining lands and cautions against using powers of attorney as “proof” of lawful tenure. Mercury Alarm in Barama River: Opposition MP Sherod Duncan is calling for an independent environmental and public health assessment of the Barama River amid mercury and heavy-metal contamination concerns tied to mining activity. Food Security Push: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha says Guyana is helping CARICOM move toward a 25% reduction in the region’s food import bill by 2030. Youth & Skills: GCCI launched its inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference, while CARICOM named Janet Simon as Dean of the Youth Ambassador Corps, focusing on nutrition, mental health, NCD prevention and youth pathways.

Amazon Basin Drilling Watch: Brazil’s Ibama has cleared Petrobras to drill three more deep wells in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas area, with conditions to update the environmental risk assessment after a fluid leak during an earlier well. Legal Education & Regional Access: Guyana sod-turned its new Council of Legal Education law school at the University of Guyana, aiming to serve more than 120 students and ease regional demand for legal training. Online Ethnic Tensions: The Ethnic Relations Commission issued 48 warnings for ethnic hate speech on social media in late July to August, up from the prior monitoring period, with slurs and racially prejudiced remarks leading. Mining Land Integrity: The GGMC warned against selling or transferring mining lands without authorization and cautioned that powers of attorney aren’t proof of lawful tenure. Mercury Risk Push: Opposition MP Sherod Duncan called for an independent environmental and public health assessment of the Barama River amid mercury contamination concerns tied to mining activity. LPG Safety Training: The Guyana Energy Agency wrapped LPG cylinder bulk transportation safety training with the EPA, GNBS and fire service to strengthen compliance across the supply chain. Climate & Water Stress Beyond Guyana: Panama Canal vessel limits are tightening due to low water levels linked to El Nino, affecting global shipping flows.

Caribbean Tourism: President Irfaan Ali will keynote CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown on Oct. 5–9, framing tourism as “smart, sustainable and inclusive” amid climate pressures and shifting traveler expectations. Youth & Sustainability: CTO will also launch a Future Leaders Forum at SOTIC, using a town-hall format to connect students with tourism leaders on AI, climate change, biodiversity, community tourism and workforce needs. Climate & Water: Hydromet warns El Niño conditions are likely to persist through late 2026 into 2027, with reduced rainfall (Sep–Nov expected below normal) and rising temperatures stressing water resources. Mining Governance: GGMC says it will crack down on unauthorized selling or transfer of mining lands and warns against relying on private deals or irrevocable powers of attorney as proof of lawful tenure. Mercury Risk: Opposition MP Sherod Duncan is pushing for an independent environmental and public health assessment of the Barama River after concerns over mercury and heavy-metal contamination linked to mining. Oil & Livelihoods: Economist Richard Rambarran says Guyana must balance saving and investment as oil revenues expand, while President Ali outlines major agricultural push in Region Ten, including large-scale swine production via the Development Bank. Infrastructure: A new US$35M Wismar–Mackenzie Bridge is set to open by Oct. 5, aiming to ease congestion and improve access for Linden and hinterland travel.