Caribbean Community (CARICOM) representatives reaffirmed their backing for Guyana in its bid for the Director General role at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). A press release from an independent source shared that they welcomed Muhammad Ibrahim, the candidate put forward by Guyana’s re-elected president, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a session in Washington, D.C.
The report indicated that during discussions with delegates from Caribbean nations, Ibrahim—an experienced agronomist and organizational leader with over thirty years of expertise in managing agricultural initiatives across Central America and the Caribbean—highlighted his primary objectives should he be appointed. He stated that his focus would be to “promote and provide solutions for food security and nutrition, as well as foster resilience to disaster risk and water security. It is essential to advance the diversification of food systems with an emphasis on health and food security.”
According to the release, the gathering was led by Antony Anderson, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). He introduced Ibrahim to the group, emphasizing that he is the candidate representing Guyana and CARICOM, a nomination that was unanimously supported by the heads of state and government of the 14 nations that are members of both CARICOM and IICA.
Ibrahim also outlined plans to bolster engagement with rural youth and women, aiming to prepare “a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs.”
The Caribbean ambassadors committed to intensify their efforts to see Ibrahim elected as the next Director General of IICA.
A decision on the new Director General, who will succeed Argentine veterinarian Manuel Otero, is scheduled for November, during the meeting of the region’s agriculture ministers in Brasília.
In addition, Ibrahim held meetings earlier this week in Washington with senior officials from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Agriculture, as well as with Albert Ramdin, the Secretary General of the OAS.
Alongside Guyana’s Ambassador to the OAS, Sam Hinds, Ibrahim discussed potential collaboration areas with Ramdin, pinpointing priorities such as food and nutrition security in Haiti, tackling cross-border pests and diseases, and addressing water scarcity and storage challenges.
The discussions also reportedly underscored the significance of promoting agriculture as a means to generate employment in rural communities and to foster local development, thus helping to curb migration.
During meetings with delegates from Caribbean countries, Ibrahim—an accomplished agronomist and organizational leader with over 30 years of experience overseeing agricultural initiatives in Central America and the Caribbean—emphasized his primary aims if chosen, according to the report.