As Guyana prepares to celebrate its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence on Thursday 26 May, 2016, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that the country could be “justly proud of its achievements and progress over the five decades of Independence.”

In a congratulatory message to President of Guyana, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, the Secretary-General pointed out that the path trodden over the half century  of endeavour had seen Guyana transformed through its determination to fulfill the vast potential of its human and natural resources.

This steadfast commitment has been bolstered by the resilience and fortitude of the people of Guyana who embraced eagerly the task of building a nation,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

The Secretary-General also referred to Guyana’s role in the Community, and singled out the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) which was conceived by, and inaugurated in Guyana.

As one of the original signatories to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, and as the headquarters of the Caribbean Community and its Secretariat, Guyana has demonstrated leadership and foresight in advancing and promoting regional integration.  A most significant contribution in this regard is the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) which was conceived by and inaugurated in Guyana.  It continues to serve the worthy goal of strengthening the bonds between the people of the Community, an essential ingredient of the integration process.  The work and talents of Guyana’s artists, scholars, writers and sportsmen have adorned the regional and global landscape,” Ambassador LaRocque noted.

In his message also, the Secretary-General said that the theme of the Golden Jubilee `Celebrate; Reflect; Inspire’ provided the people of Guyana with ample scope to rejoice on this “landmark occasion, to weigh this formative period of the Nation’s history and to draw its lessons and appreciate  its achievements, and to kindle the motivation to strive towards greater progress in the future.”

See congratulatory message to the President of Guyana below:

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it is my distinct pleasure to extend to you and to the People of Guyana, heartiest congratulations on this momentous milestone in your country's history - the celebration of your Nation’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

 The path trodden over this half century of endeavour has seen Guyana transformed through its determination to fulfil the vast potential of its human and natural resources.  This steadfast commitment has been bolstered by the resilience and fortitude of the people of Guyana who embraced eagerly the task of building a nation. Guyana can be justly proud of its achievements and progress over the five decades of Independence.

 As one of the original signatories to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, and as the headquarters of the Caribbean Community and its Secretariat, Guyana has demonstrated leadership and foresight in advancing and promoting regional integration.  A most significant contribution in this regard is the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) which was conceived by and inaugurated in Guyana.  It continues to serve the worthy goal of strengthening the bonds between the people of the Community, an essential ingredient of the integration process.  The work and talents of Guyana’s artists, scholars, writers and sportsmen have adorned the regional and global landscape.

 The theme of your Golden Jubilee “Celebrate; Reflect; Inspire” gives the people of Guyana ample scope to rejoice on this landmark occasion, to weigh this formative period of the Nation’s history and to draw its lessons and appreciate  its achievements, and to kindle the motivation to strive towards greater progress in the future.

I join with the Caribbean Community, Excellency, in wishing you and the People of Guyana best wishes for the continued development and prosperity of your country, and look forward to the ongoing and active participation of Guyana in our Caribbean Community.