President Irfaan Ali of Guyana Receives Legacy Award at AFUWI Gala in New York

President Irfaan Ali of Guyana was honored with the prestigious Legacy Award at the 27th Annual Awards Gala of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) in New York on April 21, 2024. The award acknowledged President Ali's leadership, vision, and commitment to regional cooperation and development.

Guyanese-born American actress CCH Pounder commended President Ali for his unwavering dedication to nation-building and hailed him as a regional cooperation "champion" while presenting the award. The event highlighted President Ali's significant contributions to advancing the interests of the Caribbean region and his efforts to promote economic and social progress in Guyana.

In his acceptance speech, President Ali addressed the impact of colonization on the region and reiterated the call for reparatory justice. He emphasized the importance of investing in and utilizing homegrown resources to encourage shared development, underscoring Guyana's commitment to energy security, climate security, and food security in the Caribbean.

Why this matters: President Ali's recognition at the AFUWI Gala underscores Guyana's growing influence and leadership role in the Caribbean region. The award highlights the country's efforts to promote regional cooperation and address critical issues such as energy security, climate change, and food security.

President Ali also affirmed Guyana's moral standing and dedication to supporting the people of Palestine and Haiti, stating, "The prosperity of Guyana will lead to the prosperity of the region." The AFUWI Gala, a major fundraising event that provides scholarships to deserving students at the University of the West Indies, aims to address the region's low higher education enrollment rates.

The Legacy Award Class of 2024 serves as evidence of President Ali's visionary leadership and his commitment to fostering regional cooperation and development in the Caribbean. As Guyana continues to make progress in various sectors, President Ali's recognition at the AFUWI Gala reinforces the country's growing influence and its potential to drive positive change in the region.

Key Takeaways

• President Irfaan Ali of Guyana was awarded AFUWI Legacy Award for leadership and vision.
• Guyanese-American actress CCH Pounder presented the award, hailing Ali as a "regional cooperation champion".
• Ali addressed colonization's impact, called for reparatory justice, and emphasized Guyana's commitments to energy, climate, and food security.
• The award underscores Guyana's growing influence and leadership role in the Caribbean region.
• The AFUWI Gala aims to address low higher education enrollment rates in the Caribbean.